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No dig leak repair – From concept to reality 

No dig leak repair – From concept to reality 

Challenge: Breakthrough 4: Transform
Water cycle: Water network
Funding amount: £6,039,069
Lead water company: Thames Water
Partner water companies: Affinity Water Anglian Water Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) SES Water South East Water Southern Water Yorkshire Water
Delivery stage: In progress
Est. completion date: Jan 2029

No dig leak repair – From concept to reality

Amount awarded: £6,039,069 

Led by: Thames Water

Partners: Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water,  South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water Limited, Synthotech Ltd, Transport for London, Uisce Éireann, University of Sheffield, Yorkshire Water 

Leakage of drinking water from buried networks is increasingly unacceptable, but replacing water mains is costly and protracted. Repairing hidden leaks must therefore be increased sustainably and this project will develop technology to repair leaks from within live water mains, without disruptive excavations and with minimal interruptions to water supplies. 

“This funding accelerates a revolution in how we fix leaks – minimising road closures, improving service for our customers, and lessening the impact on communities.” – Nevil Muncaster, Engineering & Asset Director, Thames Water