Underground Surveying and Network Mapping - Essentials and Utilities In Ireland
Several Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports on drainage surveys in Ireland published between 2020 and 2022 have emphasised the lack of resilient infrastructure as a major risk for safe drinking water supply across the most populous urban regions, notably Dublin, Clonakilty, and Cork.
It is high time to introduce more systematic drainage systems in the country for not only safer water supply but also sustainable management of wastewater. One thing is connected to another. And it all starts with the pivotal data obtained from different surveys and drainage network mapping.
The Parameters of the Drainage Survey in Ireland and the Variety of Goals
Several sewage networks in Ireland's residential, private, and industrial landscapes are a riddle! Many of the structures are centuries old, and many of the assets have no trace of a record. This is a serious hindrance to the latest network mapping and connectivity surveys, baffling engineers to the core.
A significant investment of time, skill, and money is necessary to navigate the areas using high-resolution photography, advanced network mapping sensors, and appropriate labelling techniques. A fresh strategy for generating records is the pragmatic option to replace outdated drainage structures with superior ones.
Introducing A Hydraulic Model for Underground Surveying for Drainage Area Planning
Concerns about urban drainage are frequently sidelined by larger initiatives such as the construction of a reservoir or dam. However, when metropolitan areas are immersed knee-deep in flood water, it creates moments like this for introducing a change.
Because of the vast scope of subsurface studies, the priorities need to be streamlined. Creating a hydraulic model has been critical in convincing stakeholders of the significance and urgency of upgrading sewage networks throughout Ireland. Water infrastructure is desperately needed to support the population and economic growth.
A drainage area plan applies to the entire catchment area of sewage, performing an end-to-end analysis primarily using asset and performance data to determine the future capacities of the sewers. Below are some of the parameters for underground surveying that aid the cause.
- Flow-Load Surveys
The Flow and Load Survey parameter allows developers to make high-precision calculations of the hydraulic and process loads in a drainage network and most significantly, the treatment plants for wastewater. Flow and load drainage surveys are also useful before performing top-hat lateral sealing on damaged pipelines that are cured in place.
- Impenetrable Area Surveys
Innovative and advanced GIS modelling and software-based mapping methodologies are used for flood control and sewer network improvement for impenetrable locations. It operates by collecting high-quality data to determine where the water is moving inside the pipeline: is it flowing with stormwater or depositing into the sewage network? Remedies are devised based on the flow's path.
- GPS Topographic Surveys
Topographical drainage studies are carried out in areas of dense tree cover or substantial development, utilising an advanced GPS system or a total station. AutoCAD designs can be created with the help of GPS data points. This can ultimately enable drainage assets to be positioned on the Irish National Grid and pipe inverts to be measured to Ordnance Level Datum.
Drainage Survey in Ireland for Locating Underground Utility Layouts
Underground utilities are a large habitat in and of themselves. Electric cables, fibre optic cables, mainline and lateral pipelines, drainage networks, gas lines, telephone lines, and other assets are included.
Electromagnetic location (EML) and Ground-Penetrating Radar are the greatest current tools for locating all of these utilities (GPR). When used in conjunction with a PAS128 survey, these approaches may reliably trace subsurface utility apparatus to depths of up to 3 metres.
Direct and indirect signalling are employed to find and identify electric lines. The most dependable way is direct signalling, which attaches directly to the cable and produces a signal along with it. With the help of specific instruments, you can use indirect signalling to connect to the utility by picking up reflected signals on the ground.
The PAS 128 Underground Survey in Ireland
In the Irish utility mapping approach, the PAS 128 Survey has a long way to go. BSI PAS 128, a British standard, now specifies underground utility detection, verification, and location.
PAS: 128 has no equivalent in Ireland. The standard is becoming prevalent in Ireland. Based on the kind and scope of the survey, Each PAS 128 survey has a given level of confidence. The levels are defined below.
- Level A – Verification of intrusive inspection
Underground utility observation and localization utilising a manhole/inspection chamber or physical excavation and exposure
- Level B-Detection of utilities using EML and GPR
Geophysical detection and utility locating services, including high-density arrays
- Level C-Site reconnaissance
Visual inspection of physical evidence observed during a site visit to support and validate current records.
- Level D: Identifying and locating desktop utility services
Identification of subsurface utilities through the compilation and analysis of existing utility records. A stand-alone service as well as a prerequisite for Levels A, B, and C.
The PAS 128 survey includes precise selection criteria to encourage confidence in the data presented. Specific parameters of survey, quality levels, and detection procedures are devised for specific geospatial regions. The survey also implements desktop utility records search and finding, with verification.
Things to Remember When Hiring a Drainage Survey in Ireland
Although modern technologies and advancements in underground surveying make the processes simpler in a variety of ways, it is frequently difficult to assign particular identifications to them.
For example, even if it is easy to detect torn cables inside pipelines, they may be prone to signal jumps. It occurs when signals move from one pipe or cable to another neighbouring pipe or cable if it provides a better route to the earth.
The certification, experience, and reputation of a survey inspector are pivotal to the trustworthiness of the tasks. Never take these assets at face value. When engaging underground surveying and network mapping engineers, inexperienced clients require two types of expertise: the first is advice on the optimum pipe/manhole rehabilitation works before carrying out drainage asset rehabilitation. The finest thing about having a no-obligation recommendation coupled with competent service is that it allows clients to make an informed decision about timeline and price.
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