Eyes in the Sky: Drones Transforming Water Infrastructure Inspections

Maintaining water infrastructure—whether pipelines, treatment plants, reservoirs, or stormwater channels—is a costly and often hazardous endeavour. In 2025, drones are changing that. These airborne tools, once the preserve of military operations and hobbyists, are now firmly embedded in the toolkit of modern water management.

Drones—also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—are enhancing visibility, safety, and efficiency in the inspection and monitoring of water infrastructure. With high-resolution imaging, thermal sensors, LiDAR scanning, and real-time video capabilities, drones can access hard-to-reach areas, detect anomalies, and provide valuable data with minimal disruption.

The Case for Drones in Water Management

Traditionally, inspecting large-scale water infrastructure meant dispatching teams on foot, in vehicles, or even by boat. It was time-consuming, labour-intensive, and in some cases dangerous—particularly in confined spaces, high-risk zones, or during adverse weather conditions.

Drones offer several key advantages:

• Speed: Covering large areas in minutes instead of hours or days.

• Access: Reaching elevated, remote, or submerged infrastructure with ease.

• Data richness: Collecting detailed imagery and sensor readings for analysis.

• Safety: Reducing the need for humans to enter hazardous environments.

These benefits are not only improving operational efficiency but also helping utilities and engineers meet stricter regulatory demands for asset monitoring, climate resilience, and maintenance.

Case Study: Veolia’s Drone-Enabled Sewer Inspections

A standout example comes from Veolia Water, which has been using indoor drones to inspect sewers and water tunnels in Europe. Partnering with drone manufacturer Flyability, Veolia deployed drones equipped with obstacle-avoidance technology and 4K cameras to assess ageing underground infrastructure.

These drones navigate tight, GPS-denied environments—flying through dark, damp tunnels to capture real-time video and thermal data. The footage is used to assess structural integrity, detect leaks, and identify blockages, all without requiring confined space entry by human inspectors.

In trials, this method halved the time required for inspections and reduced costs by up to 30%, all while improving safety for workers.

Above-Ground Inspections and Reservoir Monitoring

Drones are equally valuable above ground. In the UK, Yorkshire Water uses drones to inspect the structural condition of dams and reservoirs. High-resolution cameras and thermal imaging allow for the detection of cracks, seepage, or erosion that may otherwise go unnoticed.

During a 2023 inspection campaign, Yorkshire Water identified early signs of embankment wear at two sites, enabling timely maintenance that prevented potential environmental damage and service disruption. The same drones also captured 3D models for long-term monitoring and planning.

Coastal and Floodplain Mapping

Drones are also being deployed to monitor flood-prone areas and coastal water systems. Equipped with LiDAR and multispectral imaging, drones can map topography, measure vegetation cover, and assess flood risk in high detail.

In the Somerset Levels, the Environment Agency has been testing drone-mounted sensors to assess water retention, drainage patterns, and land use. The resulting maps are used to inform flood management strategies and agricultural planning—critical in a region often affected by seasonal inundation.

Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

In disaster scenarios, time is everything. Drones can be rapidly deployed to assess flood damage, locate damaged assets, and direct emergency crews.

During the 2023 flash floods in North Yorkshire, drone teams were able to survey damaged culverts, collapsed bridges, and compromised embankments within hours—far faster than ground crews alone. This accelerated repair work and reduced downtime for vital infrastructure.

Integration with Digital Twins and AI

Drones are not standalone tools—they are increasingly integrated into digital ecosystems. Their data feeds directly into Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital twins, and AI-based predictive maintenance platforms. (We have covered how these technologies are being used in water management in previous articles).

For example, in Australia, Melbourne Water combines drone footage with its digital twin models of the sewer network. AI analyses the visual data to detect anomalies, recommend interventions, and schedule inspections based on risk rather than routine, maximising efficiency.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite their promise, drone operations require careful management:

• Regulatory compliance: Operators must follow national aviation rules, including restrictions near airports and urban areas.

• Weather dependency: High winds, rain, and fog can limit flight capability.

• Data management: Large volumes of high-resolution data must be stored, processed, and interpreted effectively.

• Training: Skilled operators and analysts are essential for effective deployment.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK offers guidance and licensing for commercial drone use, and many water companies are now investing in in-house drone teams or working with certified contractors.

Looking to the Horizon

As drone technology advances—with longer flight times, better sensors, and AI-powered automation—their role in water management will only expand. From catchment surveillance to emergency response, drones are proving themselves not just as inspection tools, but as platforms for innovation, transparency, and resilience.

In an age where every drop and every asset must be accounted for, having eyes in the sky may be the smartest investment a water utility can make.