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
—
The No-Dig Leak Repair- From Concept to Reality project is pioneering a new approach to underground pipe repair that eliminates the need for excavation. Launched in October 2024, the project aims to develop and validate innovative, modular repair technologies that can be deployed with minimal surface disruption reducing environmental impact, operational downtime, and repair costs. In Phase 1, the team has successfully defined the project scope, deliverable acceptance criteria, and conceptual designs for four repair methodologies: point application, liner/clamp, flow-based, and local injection. These concepts are designed to offer flexibility while managing technical and operational risks in a structured way. Operational data from real-world sites has been used to map current leak detection and repair processes, helping to form the foundation for testing and evaluation. The project is now progressing through the design and review of benchtop test rigs, test site layouts and system schematics, including the STARs rig. A structured Go/No-Go framework has been developed to assess readiness for Phase 2, focusing on technical feasibility, risk mitigation, health and safety, and alignment with programme goals. This project represents a significant step toward smarter, more sustainable infrastructure maintenance. The outcomes of Phase 1 will inform the next stage of development and field validation, bringing the vision of no-dig leak repair closer to implementation.
—
For more information on No Dig Leak Repair, take a look at the following resources:
See the Thames Water website for the most up-to-date information and resources on the project
