Spanish environmental services company Aganova has signed a five-year contract with Syndicat des Eaux d’Île-de-France (SEDIF) to provide diagnostic services across the Paris region’s 8,000 km water distribution network using its state-of-the-art Nautilus acoustic sensors.
Aganova beat multiple international competitors to secure the prestigious five-year contract, with its Nautilus technology scoring highest in a rigorous evaluation where technical performance accounted for 70% of the final decision.
Under terms of the agreement, Aganova will inspect large diameter feeder pipes across Paris region water distribution network, which includes approximately 800km of critical large diameter feeder pipes (>300mm) that transport water to major distribution points. Many of these feeder pipes were installed between 1960-1990, and until now there has been little data available on their condition. Aganova will employ its Nautilus technology to inspect and assess feeder pipes along their entire length to quickly identify sectors that need renewing, allowing SEDIF to prioritise and target those sections that need attention.
Marcos Barrera Parrilla, COO, Aganova, said: “This is a significant milestone for Aganova. We are pleased to be working with SEDIF, France’s largest public water service and one of the largest in Europe. The scale of this infrastructure assessment showcases our technology’s ability to provide the precise condition data that utilities need to make informed investment decisions and prevent costly failures.”
Although the Paris region has a lower rate of water loss through leakage than either the French or global average, reducing the volume lost is one method of tackling increasing levels of water stress in the region. The OECD predicts that the region is at increasing risk of a major drought episode, following significant water use restrictions in 2018 and record supply deficits in 2022. This threat comes from a combination of increasing average temperatures, decreasing average soil moisture and increasing demand.
Delphine Alrivie, Cheffe de Projet Gestion Patrimoniale Réseau (Network Asset Management Project Manager) said: “We’re committed to maintaining the highest standards for our water infrastructure serving the Paris region. This partnership with Aganova represents our continued investment in cutting-edge diagnostic technology that enables us to optimise our network management and make data-driven investment decisions. The advanced capabilities of Nautilus technology will help us deliver even better value for our customers through precise condition assessment.”
Nautilus uses passive acoustic technology and is designed to travel with the flow of water through large pipes, such as trunk mains, under normal operating conditions, without interrupting supply. Its sensor is linked to software that can relay real-time data to customers to provide an ongoing assessment of pipe conditions. These can reveal:
- Leaks not detectable from the outside.
- Air accumulations (air pockets).
- Additional qualitative information on structural conditions.
The inspections will be carried out by the Aganova team under the direction of Luisa Gallardo Garcia with civil works and logistics support from Terideal, a local subcontractor supporting Aganova.
Aganova’s growing portfolio of utility partnerships demonstrates the company’s proven ability to deliver reliable diagnostic services across diverse markets. The company currently works with major water utilities including Uisce Éireann (Irish Water), Ens d’Abastament d’Aigua Ter-Llobregat (Catalunya, Spain) and Sanepar, the public water utility serving Paraná, Brazil, and EtihadWE and TAQA in UAE. These partnerships underscore the global demand for Aganova’s advanced pipeline diagnostic technology and the company’s track record of successful long-term utility relationships.
