Digitalization and technological innovation are marking a turning point in the transformation of water infrastructure, especially in key facilities such as wastewater treatment plants. At the Maqua plant in Avilés, an autonomous drone travels inside the wastewater collector to detect potential damage, thanks to robotics, a technology that allows for faster, safer, and more precise inspections.
This is an unprecedented action in the sanitation system of the Avilés Estuary promoted by the Asturias Water Consortium (CADASA). Thanks to this cutting-edge technology, developed by Hovering Solutions, leaks, seepage, and structural defects can be detected with great precision along nearly five kilometers of the sewer line. This will allow for optimized maintenance and the prevention of future problems in the sewer, which serves the municipalities of Avilés, Gozón, Corvera, and Castrillón, playing a key role in the collection and transport of wastewater.
Applied innovation resulting from collaboration with startups
Hovering Solutions was accelerated in the Corporate Venturing program of Facsa -the company awarded the service for the operation of the Maqua WWTP-, in which it developed a proof of concept that has culminated in the effective implementation of this solution based on the intelligent use of drones.
Specifically, the drone used for this project has been designed to move safely inside complex and hard-to-reach infrastructures without requiring GPS, radio signals, or external lighting. Thanks to this technology, highly accurate 3D models of the environment can be created, allowing for the detection of potential damage or structural problems. All of this is done in accordance with UNE-EN 13508-2, which establishes a standardized method for describing the condition of pipes, sewers, and other similar installations. This results in a clearer and more reliable assessment without putting technical personnel at risk.
Luis Basiero, director of the company's Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment division, emphasizes the importance of preparation: “Prior planning has been key to this project. We carried out specific work to prepare and ensure safe access to the wells, as well as descent and rescue drills. This allowed us to minimize risks and ensure that the work was carried out under optimal conditions, both for the team and the technology used.”.
“The entire process has been carried out in accordance with IRATA certification, the highest level international accreditation for rope access and working at height, with personnel qualified at level 3, the highest certifiable level,” explains Basiero.
As the director of Facsa's Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment division points out, the complexity of the operation demanded meticulous technical planning. The company designed an operational strategy that minimized the flow in the Maqua plant's sewers to facilitate personnel access and drone flight, without compromising the system's operation or causing any spills. This management demonstrates the team's ability to successfully handle these types of operations in complex environments.
A direct benefit for citizens and the resource
A well-diagnosed sanitation network helps prevent incidents that can affect the urban and natural environment, as well as optimize resources and avoid more costly or invasive emergency interventions. Therefore, these preventative measures strengthen the operational efficiency of critical infrastructure and have a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens. In this regard, prior to these works, the company employed technology based on computational fluid dynamics simulation, developed by the consulting firm Hydrens.
It is worth noting that Facsa, in addition to operating the Maqua wastewater treatment plant, has been awarded the contract, in a joint venture with Espina Obras Hidráulicas and Alvargonzález Contratas, for the plant's expansion. This project, promoted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, represents an investment of over €48 million and aims to modernize and increase the facility's capacity to meet the current and future needs of the surrounding industrial and urban area.
