Wastewater Tank Drone Inspection and LiDAR Survey Using the Elios 3
Water treatment facilities across the UK rely on a vast network of tanks, digesters, sewers, culverts, and process infrastructure to maintain the safe treatment and distribution of water. Many of these assets require routine inspection to assess structural condition, identify deterioration, and support long term asset management programmes.
DJM Aerial Solutions regularly supports water utility providers and wastewater treatment operators with specialist confined space drone inspections of difficult to access infrastructure. Recent projects have included sludge tanks, digesters, clean water tanks, potable water tanks, sewers, culverts, and underground process assets.
This week, our team completed a detailed condition assessment and LiDAR survey of an above ground reinforced concrete clean water tank using the Flyability Elios 3 confined space drone.
The asset measured approximately 13 metres wide by 30 metres long and required both a close visual inspection and a LiDAR point cloud survey rectified to the Ordnance Survey National Grid (OSGB36) coordinate system.
By utilising drone technology, the inspection was completed safely, efficiently, and without exposing personnel to unnecessary confined space risks.
The Challenges of Traditional Water Tank Inspections
Inspecting large water storage assets using conventional methods often presents significant logistical and safety challenges.
To carry out a traditional inspection of a tank of this size would typically require:
Confined space entry teams
Rescue team provision
Gas monitoring equipment
Permit controlled entry procedures
Working at height controls
Additional access equipment
Extended inspection durations
Even with robust safety procedures in place, placing personnel inside a confined space environment introduces unnecessary risk when safer alternatives are available.
For water utility operators, minimising downtime while maintaining safe inspection practices is essential.
Why Drone Inspection is Ideal for Water Treatment Infrastructure
The Flyability Elios 3 has become one of the most effective inspection tools available for the water industry.
Its collision tolerant design and advanced LiDAR capabilities allow inspection teams to safely navigate complex environments while capturing both visual inspection data and accurate spatial information.
This makes the platform particularly effective for inspecting:
Clean water tanks
Potable water reservoirs
Sludge tanks
Anaerobic digesters
Storm water tanks
Underground chambers
Sewers and culverts
Wet wells and pumping stations
Process containment structures
The ability to collect both inspection imagery and survey grade spatial information during a single deployment provides significant value to asset owners.
Inspection Scope
The project required a comprehensive close visual inspection of the internal concrete structure alongside the generation of a detailed LiDAR model.
Inspection objectives included:
Assessment of concrete wall condition
Inspection of construction joints
Identification of cracking or deterioration
Assessment of roof and soffit structures
Inspection of internal support features
Identification of exposed reinforcement where present
Assessment of penetrations and interfaces
Generation of a full LiDAR point cloud model
In addition to the visual inspection, the client required a deliverable that could be integrated into their wider engineering and asset management systems.
To achieve this, the point cloud was rectified to the OSGB36 National Grid coordinate system, providing a geospatially referenced digital representation of the tank.
LiDAR Survey and Digital Twin Generation
One of the most significant advantages of the Elios 3 platform is its ability to simultaneously capture spatial data while conducting inspection activities.
The onboard LiDAR system generated a comprehensive point cloud model of the internal tank geometry, allowing engineers to accurately visualise the structure and undertake further planning activities.
The resulting deliverables included:
LiDAR point cloud data
Digital asset representation
Measured geometry of the structure
Spatially referenced survey information
OSGB rectified survey outputs
Asset documentation for future planning
For facilities where original drawings are limited, outdated, or unavailable, these deliverables provide substantial long term value.
Benefits of Drone Inspection for Water Utility Assets
The inspection demonstrated several key advantages of using confined space drone technology within the water sector.
Elimination of Confined Space Entry
The most significant benefit was the removal of the need for personnel to enter the tank.
This dramatically reduced risk while simplifying planning and execution.
Improved Safety
Drone inspection eliminates many of the hazards associated with confined space entry and working within enclosed environments.
Faster Data Collection
The inspection and LiDAR survey were completed in a fraction of the time required for traditional methods.
High Resolution Visual Data
Detailed imagery allowed engineers to assess the condition of the concrete structure remotely.
Simultaneous Survey and Inspection
The Elios 3 enabled both condition assessment and LiDAR survey activities to be completed during a single deployment.
Reduced Operational Disruption
The inspection was completed efficiently with minimal impact on the client’s operational programme.
Supporting Asset Integrity and Maintenance Planning
The information captured during the survey provides valuable intelligence for engineers responsible for managing water treatment infrastructure.
Inspection outputs can support:
Asset integrity programmes
Structural condition assessments
Repair planning
Future refurbishment projects
Digital asset management
Engineering design activities
Capital investment planning
Drone inspection provides a safer and more efficient method of gathering information while supporting informed engineering decision making.
The Growing Role of Drone Technology in the Water Industry
Water utility providers across the UK are increasingly adopting drone technology to improve safety, reduce costs, and enhance asset visibility.
Applications now routinely include:
Wastewater tank inspections
Clean water tank inspections
Potable water reservoir inspections
Digester inspections
Sewer inspections
Live culvert inspections
Storm water asset inspections
LiDAR surveys of confined spaces
Digital twin generation
As infrastructure continues to age and inspection requirements increase, drone technology is becoming an essential component of modern asset management strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions for Waste Water Tank Drone Inspection
A wastewater tank drone inspection uses confined space drone technology to assess the internal condition of tanks without requiring personnel to enter the asset.
Drones significantly reduce confined space risks while providing high resolution visual inspection data and survey information.
The inspection was completed using the Flyability Elios 3 confined space drone equipped with visual inspection and LiDAR mapping capabilities.
Yes. The Elios 3 is commonly used to inspect clean water tanks, potable water reservoirs, and other enclosed water industry assets.
OSGB rectification aligns survey data to the Ordnance Survey National Grid, allowing accurate integration into engineering and GIS systems.
Deliverables can include inspection imagery, video footage, LiDAR point clouds, digital twins, and OSGB referenced survey data.
Yes. LiDAR data captured during inspection can be used to create digital twins and detailed 3D models of the asset.
Cracking, concrete deterioration, exposed reinforcement, coating failure, structural defects, and signs of asset degradation.
No. One of the primary benefits of the Elios 3 is eliminating the requirement for personnel to enter confined spaces.
Digesters, sludge tanks, wet wells, pumping stations, culverts, sewers, storm tanks, and underground chambers can all be inspected using drone technology.
Supporting Safer Infrastructure Inspections
This recent clean water tank inspection demonstrates how confined space drone technology is helping water utility operators inspect critical infrastructure without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk.
By combining high-resolution visual inspection with LiDAR survey capability and OSGB rectification, clients receive both detailed condition information and accurate digital survey data from a single deployment.
For water treatment operators managing complex assets across large networks, drone inspection offers a safer, faster, and more commercially efficient alternative to traditional inspection methods.
Planning Your Next Wastewater Tank Inspection
DJM Aerial Solutions provides specialist wastewater tank drone inspections, clean water tank surveys, digester inspections, sewer inspections, culvert surveys, and confined space LiDAR mapping services throughout the UK.
We offer:
CAA authorised drone operations
Confined space trained inspection teams
LiDAR survey capability
OSGB rectification services
High resolution visual reporting
Nationwide mobilisation
Digital twin and point cloud deliverables
If you are planning a water tank inspection, condition assessment, or confined space survey, contact DJM Aerial Solutions to discuss how drone technology can support your inspection and asset management objectives.