Bristol Water to use DAMSAT for dam monitoring

9 August 2021


UK utility Bristol Water is to remotely monitor its 15 dams from space using DAMSAT technology, developed by HR Wallingford.

DAMSAT uses satellite Earth Observation techniques – including the analysis of spectral responses from satellite images and signals from navigation satellite systems – combined with real-time in-situ monitoring devices. The technology can monitor and predict a host of safety indicators including: dam movement; leakage and pollution; and water level changes. 

Extensively piloted on over 30 tailings and water dams in Peru, DAMSAT offers a suite of individual modules that can be selected to best suit the particular dam and users’ needs.

 “Bristol Water is a proactive, innovative water company and dam safety is one of our highest priorities,” commented Frank van der Kleij, head of asset risk and planning at Bristol Water. “DAMSAT will allow us to improve our surveillance and monitoring of these critical assets.”

Craig Goff, supervising panel engineer for Bristol Water’s reservoirs and technical director at HR Wallingford, added: “The benefits of this system are immense. Having continual surveillance and early analysis of behavioural changes between visits, allows me to focus my attention on the right area of the right site, at the right time. Bristol Water’s reservoir portfolio is safer as a result.”



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