Yellow Submarines Inspect the U.K.'s Water Supply

Water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod has taken a significant step forward towards expanding its innovative robotic division after purchasing a pair of state-of-the-art underwater inspection machines. The firm has invested in the new robots, which they have affectionately named Ringo and Macca, in order to meet the rising demand for inspection projects using its underwater robotic division across the U.K. water sector.

The machines are used by Panton McLeod to inspect huge underground water storage tanks and facilities throughout the country, many of which hold millions of liters of fresh drinking water before it is sent to customers’ taps. Thanks to their innovative design, the ROVs can be deployed to inspect the facilities while they are still in service and online, meaning there is no need to drain the tanks first and risk potential disruption to customers’ supplies.

The ROVs can be manoeuvred like a submarine and are primarily used to inspect the condition of water storage facilities while they are still online and check for damage. Each machine is meticulously disinfected before being deployed into facilities, meaning there is no risk to the quality of water supplies.

Panton McLeod also uses a separate VR600 tracked machine in its underwater division, which is a larger robot that can be manoeuvred along the floor of any water storage structure and removes any sediment build up on the floor of these facilities. Like the ROVs, the VR600 can also be used to inspect the condition of huge underground water tanks, known as storage reservoirs, including checking the walls and interior of the facilities for corrosion or damage.

Source: Panton McLeod