--- title: Utility’s drone program takes safety sky-high description: As eyes in the sky, drones are reducing safety risks and improving operations at SA Water. --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - [Member Hub ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-locked-icon.svg "user icon")](https://memberhub.awa.asn.au) - [About us ![about us icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-about-us-icon-copy.svg "about us icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/about) - [Contact us ![contact icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-contact-icon.svg "contact icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/contact-us) [Skip to content](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utilitys-drone-program-takes-safety-sky-high#main-content) [![Australian Water Association | 60 Years](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logos/AWA-logo@2x.png?width=180&height=85&name=AWA-logo@2x.png "Australian Water Association | 60 Years")](https://awa.asn.au) - [ Home ](https://www.awa.asn.au) - [ Membership ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) Show submenu for Membership ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Membership for me ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/individual) Show submenu for Membership for me ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ Branch committees ](https://www.awa.asn.au/local-branch) - [ Specialist Networks ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership-specialist-water-networks) - [ Young Water Professionals ](https://www.awa.asn.au/young-water-professionals) - [ Membership for my organisation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/corporate) Show submenu for Membership for my organisation ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ B2B ](https://www.awa.asn.au/business-connections) - [ Australian Water Directory ](https://www.awa.asn.au/digital-marketplace) - [ Careers in Water ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au) Show submenu for Careers in Water ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Jobs Board ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) - [ Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) Show submenu for Resources ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Indigo ](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) - [ Latest Industry News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) - [ Strategy 2030 ](https://www.awa.asn.au/strategy-2030) - [ Current Magazine ](https://www.awa.asn.au/member-magazine) - [ Water e-Journal ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/water-e-journal) - [ Reconciliation Action Plan ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/reconciliation-action-plan) - [ Future of Water Report ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/futureofwaterreport) - [ Podcasts ](https://www.awa.asn.au/podcasts) - [ Advertising & Media ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/media-releases) - [ Past Papers ](https://www.ozwater.org/program/past-papers) - [ Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) Show submenu for Events ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Upcoming Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) - [ Events Calendar ](https://www.awa.asn.au/national-events-calendar) - [ Ozwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/events/ozwater) - [ Photo Gallery ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) - [ Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) Show submenu for Awards ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Awards Overview ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) - [ Individual Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-individual) - [ Chris Davis AM Fellowship ](https://www.awa.asn.au/chris-davis-am-fellowship) - [ Guy Parker Award ](https://www.awa.asn.au/guy-parker-award) - [ Organisation Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-organisation) - [ Student Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/student-awards) - [ Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards/student-awards/asjwp) - [ View Honour Roll ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-honour-roll) - [ Programs ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs) Show submenu for Programs ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ International Program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [ Advocacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/advocacy) - [ Mentoring ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/mentoring) - [ Graduate Program - Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/graduate-program-water) - [ National Water Week ](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org) - [ Circular Water Taskforce ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/circular-water-taskforce) - [ ANZBP ](https://www.biosolids.com.au/) - [ Home ](https://www.awa.asn.au) - [ Membership ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) Show submenu for Membership ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Membership for me ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/individual) Show submenu for Membership for me ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ Branch committees ](https://www.awa.asn.au/local-branch) - [ Specialist Networks ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership-specialist-water-networks) - [ Young Water Professionals ](https://www.awa.asn.au/young-water-professionals) - [ Membership for my organisation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/corporate) Show submenu for Membership for my organisation ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ B2B ](https://www.awa.asn.au/business-connections) - [ Australian Water Directory ](https://www.awa.asn.au/digital-marketplace) - [ Careers in Water ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au) Show submenu for Careers in Water ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Jobs Board ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) - [ Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) Show submenu for Resources ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Indigo ](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) - [ Latest Industry News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) - [ Strategy 2030 ](https://www.awa.asn.au/strategy-2030) - [ Current Magazine ](https://www.awa.asn.au/member-magazine) - [ Water e-Journal ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/water-e-journal) - [ Reconciliation Action Plan ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/reconciliation-action-plan) - [ Future of Water Report ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/futureofwaterreport) - [ Podcasts ](https://www.awa.asn.au/podcasts) - [ Advertising & Media ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/media-releases) - [ Past Papers ](https://www.ozwater.org/program/past-papers) - [ Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) Show submenu for Events ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Upcoming Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) - [ Events Calendar ](https://www.awa.asn.au/national-events-calendar) - [ Ozwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/events/ozwater) - [ Photo Gallery ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) - [ Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) Show submenu for Awards ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Awards Overview ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) - [ Individual Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-individual) - [ Chris Davis AM Fellowship ](https://www.awa.asn.au/chris-davis-am-fellowship) - [ Guy Parker Award ](https://www.awa.asn.au/guy-parker-award) - [ Organisation Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-organisation) - [ Student Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/student-awards) - [ Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards/student-awards/asjwp) - [ View Honour Roll ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-honour-roll) - [ Programs ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs) Show submenu for Programs ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ International Program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [ Advocacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/advocacy) - [ Mentoring ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/mentoring) - [ Graduate Program - Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/graduate-program-water) - [ National Water Week ](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org) - [ Circular Water Taskforce ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/circular-water-taskforce) - [ ANZBP ](https://www.biosolids.com.au/) ![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-nav-hamburger.svg) ![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-nav-close.svg) [Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) > [Latest News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) > Utilitys drone program takes safety sky high # Utility’s drone program takes safety sky-high Feb 7, 2020 | 1 mins read ![User Icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-user.svg "User Icon") by Water Source As eyes in the sky, drones are reducing safety risks and improving operations at SA Water. The utility currently has seven licenced drone pilots and aims to have 20 staff members licenced by the end of the year so it can deploy the technology at more of its water and wastewater facilities. SA Water General Manager of Business Services Jamie Hollamby said expanding the use of drones was about creating a safer work environment, particularly when inspecting infrastructure in hard-to-access locations. “Drones enable us to remotely view and film the condition of structures, such as outlet towers and tunnels, providing close-up, high-quality images, even in the dark,” he said. “In addition to eliminating safety risks by removing the person from a particular situation, using our drones is also reducing the time taken to complete tasks, which in turn is reducing operational costs.” But drones aren’t only useful for asset inspections. SA Water is also taking flight to capture aerial and thermal photography and videography. This provides greater perspective on large-scale operations, which helps the utility assess the health of the environment over time and monitor the progress of capital works. This includes a recent survey of 40 km of shoreline of Lake Victoria, which involved taking more than 20,000 photos. This allowed the utility to produce surface and vegetation comparisons to determine the stability of the shoreline and monitor changes. SA Water’s Riverland team, which covers an area of South Australia along the Murray River, has also used the technology to capture aerial photography of locks and weirs.  “We started with two drone pilots in 2016, and now we’re striving to continue finessing our capability,” Hollamby said. “As we continue to develop and embed the capability, we’re learning more each day about the various applications and benefits of drones.” **Related video:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4KbjrTGExs     [ Innovation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/innovation) [ Industry ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/industry) [ SA Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/sa-water) [ Safety ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/safety) [ Drones ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/drones) [ Utilities ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/utilities) [ South Australia (SA) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/south-australia) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Utility’s%20drone%20program%20takes%20safety%20sky-high&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utilitys-drone-program-takes-safety-sky-high) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utilitys-drone-program-takes-safety-sky-high) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utilitys-drone-program-takes-safety-sky-high) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utilitys-drone-program-takes-safety-sky-high) ## RELATED NEWS ### [ Water utility saves millions on energy with analytics ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/water-utility-saves-millions-on-energy-with-analytics) Water Source SA Water has saved $3 million in annual energy costs by using analytical tools to aid energy purchases, buying power when cheap and… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/water-utility-saves-millions-on-energy-with-analytics) ### [ Utility repurposes oil refinery site for solar ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utility-repurposes-oil-refinery-site-for-solar) Cecilia Harris SA Water will turn 14 hectares of land at the former ExxonMobil Port Stanvac oil refinery into a solar farm in pursuit of achieving… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/utility-repurposes-oil-refinery-site-for-solar) ### [ Water utilities hop on Tesla bandwagon for energy savings ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/water-utilities-hop-on-tesla-bandwagon-for-energy-savings) Water Source Californian water utilities have joined the world-wide Tesla battery craze, claiming they are reaping savings by storing energy in… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/water-utilities-hop-on-tesla-bandwagon-for-energy-savings) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and the ancestors who have cared, protected and nurtured Country for many thousands of years.   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices, and names of people who have passed away. Please [let us know ](mailto:membership@awa.asn.au)if anything on the site causes distress. - [About us](https://www.awa.asn.au/about) - [International](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [Principal Members](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) - [Resources](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) - [Jobs Board](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) Branches [ ACT ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/act) [ NSW ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/nsw) [ NT ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/nt) [ QLD ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/qld) [ SA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/sa) [ TAS ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/tas) [ VIC ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/vic) [ WA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/wa) [ IWAA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/iwaa) Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us [![nav-icon-facebook](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-facebook.svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/australianwater) [![nav-icon-instagram](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-instagram.svg) ](https://www.instagram.com/australianwaterassociation/) [![nav-icon-youtube](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-youtube.svg) ](https://www.youtube.com/c/australianwaterTV) [![nav-icon-twitter](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-twitter.svg) ](https://twitter.com/AustralianWater) [![nav-icon-linkedin](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-linkedin.svg) ](https://au.linkedin.com/company/australian-water-association) [![nav-icon-flickr](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-flickr.svg) ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) Australian Water Association PO Box 841, Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone [ + 61 2 9436 0055 ](tel:+%2061%202%209436%200055) ABN: 78 096 035 773 [ Contact us ](https://www.awa.asn.au/contact-us) Copyright 2025 - Australian Water Association - [ Terms of Use ](https://www.awa.asn.au/terms-of-use) | [ Privacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/privacy-policy) | Sitemap