South East Water makes £1.5m leakage investment

South East Water (SEW) has awarded technology company i20 Water a £1.5m contract to supply leakage management systems in a bid to tackle drought in the south east.


The contract will see i20 supply 200 Water PRV Control systems, which tackle the leakage problem by managing pressure on the water distribution network.

The i2O Water systems will be installed in Kent and Sussex, which have been affected by water shortages, as part of a fast-track 12-week installation programme

In addition, the i2O systems will provide SEW with a remote control capability over their PRVs, which will enable them to adjust the PRVs to the appropriate pressures at all times of the day and night, depending on the drought conditions.

SEW head of leakage Keith Hilson, said: “This work is particularly important for South East Water given the severity of the current drought. South East England has had the driest two-year period since records began and in March saw less than half the average rainfall expected for the month, as well as warmer temperatures than usual.

“April and the first half of May have been exceptionally wet, but this wet period has not made up for the two previous dry years. If we have a hot, dry summer, we will see significant pressure on water supplies.”

Carys Matthews

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