752118Leak Detection in multiple utility pipesClosedVouchersInnovate UKIf all the water leaks in the UK were to be repaired, the amount of water saved would be sufficient to supply the daily needs of 22.4 million people. Fixing leaks can be a costly exercise due to difficulty in locating the damaged pipe, the high number of personnel involved, and the expensive machinery used. Disruption to public transport can also be an issue, since large areas of ground must be excavated in order to locate the leak. Several competing technologies exist for the detection of water leaks. These include hand digging based on mapping, Electro Magnetic Sensors, CCTV, and Ground Penetrating Radar. However, all of these have their associated disadvantages. Hand digging is based on mapping which is notoriously unreliable especially on brownfield sites. Electro Magnetic Sensors are limited to conductors such as cables, wires and metal pipes but can’t detect water pipes. CCTV is only useful for pipes or drains with known access points. Existing GPR technology can detect subsurface utilities irrespective of their construction, however a skilled, highly trained operator is required in order to download and separately analyse and interpret the data. PipeHawk has developed a novel ground radar technology that addresses these issues, thereby minimising the risk to those carrying out excavations, and reduce disruption when, for example, road works overrun or services are severed. The company is now seeking to capitalise upon this unique approach and expand the capabilities of the e-Safe technology. Ultimately, this will lead to the creation of a solution that can cost effectively and efficiently detect leakages in water pipes buried up to 15m below ground level. In turn we will deliver a disruptive innovation with global market appeal.