CASE STUDY: Aqua Stop

Aquastop MKII has been jointly developed, trialled and tested by the collaborative team from Wask and Viking Johnson along with Morrison Utility Services and Sarco Stopper. The challenge was to devise an innovative solution that would allow the cutting in or removal of valves, meters, tees, fittings, diversionary works and leakage repair etc without the need for customer supply interruptions or any depressurisation of the pipe distribution system between 3" and 8" diameter.

Aquastop MKII employs the use of industry standard VJ repair couplings that have been modified to include a 2½" drilled and tapped boss that also has an external thread. The external thread on the boss is used to mount under pressure drilling equipment and the "bagging-off" line stop units. Additional standard couplings can be used to provide a bypass facility around the isolated section of pipe and maintain customer supply. This allows customer sensitive jobs to be completed within normal working hours and avoid extensive out of hours planning, operations and inflated costs.

Aquastop MKII equipment is fully capable of flow stopping pipes and is rated at pressures of up to 8 bar and flows of up to 10 l/s.

Operationally, the ability to use "in-house" teams to deliver this solution has realised not only a more reactive and controlled service over external sub-contract services but has also delivered cost savings of between £1000 and £10000 per line stop, depending on diameter and configuration.

As a part of this development a variation allowing the line stopping of all pipes up to 12" through the use of through bore hydrants may soon significantly reduce excavation footprints and associated costs.

Bag technology is an integral part of this solution and currently involves some industry breaking technology and manufacturing processes as forces and pressure limits are increased.

This innovative solution delivers excellent customer service and significant cost savings to a range of water network activities. Its affordability over traditional "bought in" external specialist services has opened up many new and affordable opportunities and allowed a greater level of flexibility by using "in house" teams.

Aquastop MKII was officially launched at Aquatech October 2008 and Morrison Utility Services introduced the first set of Aquastop MKII into the UK to the Yorkshire Water WSA contract in February 2009. It has since gone on to enjoy many significant successes with other water companies such as United Utilities and Thames Water.

For more information, please contact us.