No Dig Leak Repair Technology

Tender description

Thames Water, in partnership with the other UK water companies, are looking to develop an innovative 'no dig leak repair' technology to fix leaks on water mains without the need to dig a hole. Thames Water endeavour to engage an interested delivery partner(s) to develop their initial idea for submission to the Ofwat Innovation Fund. Contingent on the outcome of this project is the potential wider adoption of the technology in the UK water sector. Solving this problem will present the successful organisation with an opportunity solve a problem costing the UK and international water companies millions of pounds each year as well the cost, disruption and environmental impact of road works. The solution is expected to be an in-pipe device capable of live insertion and retrieval via standard fittings on drinking water networks, e.g. hydrants. The device would need to travel a distance through the water main, locate and characterise the failure, and effect a local repair - without the need to interrupt the supply. Lot 1: Given this is new technology, the solution is likely to require input across a number of competencies (engineering, robotics, science/academia), and it may benefit from a consortium. Thus the sourcing path allows for a Prime contractor to manage the consortium up through the 2nd phase of development (the build and test of the prototype). Anticipating the successful milestone completion of a proven prototype under Phase 2, Phase 3 will be to implement the best solution on the Thames Water network.