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Sewer Inspection Drones

Unlock safer, faster, and cheaper sewer inspections

Deploy drone inspections in your sewers and bring your infrastructure into the 21st century.

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Discover the benefits of using drones for sewer inspections

Ageing infrastructure, a reducing workforce, and complex access make sewer network inspections a growing challenge. But sewer inspection drones are changing the game by delivering safer, cheaper, and more reliable inspections. How? Through a combination of remote access, accurate surveys, and visual data collection that outstrip traditional inspection methods. Digitize, assess, and map critical wastewater infrastructure without setting foot underground.

4x

Faster

Georeferenced surveys of manholes are completed 4X faster than traditional methods 
40%

Cheaper

Save money on pipe cleaning, FTE, and stand-by rescue teams thanks to remote access 
0

Risk

Keep your team safe while they conduct sewer network inspections with a drone

4x

Faster

Georeferenced surveys of manholes are completed 4X faster than traditional methods 
40%

Cheaper

Save money on pipe cleaning, FTE, and stand-by rescue teams thanks to remote access 
0

Risk

Keep your team safe while they conduct sewer network inspections with a drone

Applications - sewers

Applications of drone sewer inspections

Discover how specialized confined space drones are being used to collect the critical data required for sewer visual inspections, surveys, and pre-construction workflows.
Visual Pipe Inspection
Georeferenced Survey
Relining Before-And-After Checks
Crack Localization
Emergency Response
Culvert Inspections
Desalination Plant Surveys
Tanks And Water Storage Inspections
Storm Drain Assessments
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The right tools for the job: Discover our sewer inspection package

With our end-to-end package, we can take you from data collection to processing to industry-compliant reports. Integrate drones with your existing workflows, saving time and money.

Elios 3

A collision-tolerant drone, designed to fly in spaces humans can’t access. Equipped with a 4K video camera, 16,000 lumens of light, and a LiDAR scanner, this drone simultaneously collects high quality data for your sewer inspections. Deploy it in seconds, gather data in minutes, and streamline your operations. 

Learn more about Elios 3

Surveying Payload

Our enhanced surveying package. Equip your Elios 3 with a more powerful LiDAR sensor and partner software by FARO Insight to create centimeter-accurate 3D models of your sewers, delivering precise surveys that meet industry standards and give you the overview you need. 

Learn more about Surveying Payload

Elios 3

A collision-tolerant drone, designed to fly in spaces humans can’t access. Equipped with a 4K video camera, 16,000 lumens of light, and a LiDAR scanner, this drone simultaneously collects high quality data for your sewer inspections. Deploy it in seconds, gather data in minutes, and streamline your operations. 

Learn more about Elios 3

Surveying Payload

Our enhanced surveying package. Equip your Elios 3 with a more powerful LiDAR sensor and partner software by FARO Insight to create centimeter-accurate 3D models of your sewers, delivering precise surveys that meet industry standards and give you the overview you need. 

Learn more about Surveying Payload
Video displaying capabilities of Elios 3 Inspector software

Inspector Software

The partner software for the Elios 3, with the option to host and share your data on your desktop or our cloud platform. With Inspector, you can review your visual data alongside LiDAR point clouds and export your results for streamlined decision-making and visualization. Transform your records into digital records, ready to be reviewed and revisited anytime. 

Learn more about Inspector Software

WinCan Integration

Import your Elios 3 data into the leading sewer management software. Our custom integration between the Elios 3 ecosystem and WinCan delivers easy data importation, untethered sharing, clear-cut reporting, and standard-compliant results. 

Learn more about WinCan Integration

Inspector Software

The partner software for the Elios 3, with the option to host and share your data on your desktop or our cloud platform. With Inspector, you can review your visual data alongside LiDAR point clouds and export your results for streamlined decision-making and visualization. Transform your records into digital records, ready to be reviewed and revisited anytime. 

Learn more about Inspector Software
Video displaying capabilities of Elios 3 Inspector software

WinCan Integration

Import your Elios 3 data into the leading sewer management software. Our custom integration between the Elios 3 ecosystem and WinCan delivers easy data importation, untethered sharing, clear-cut reporting, and standard-compliant results. 

Learn more about WinCan Integration
Two Column Video Section — Video Left / Text Right

Workflow

Step-By-Step: A mission with the Elios 3

Join our product manager, Michael Blake, as he walks us through the creation of a georeferenced map of a pump station using the Elios 3. Michael explains how to optimize data collection, process data from the Elios 3, and how to analyze your results. Learn all about the workflow and see how it can be applied to your wastewater management operations.

Step-By-Step: a mission with the Elios 3 mapping a pump station
Video: a step-by-step workflow with the Elios 3 mapping a pump station in a sewer inspection.

Bring sewer drones to your network for complex projects

Case Study

Inspecting underground river canals in France

Sater, a subsidiary of Veolia, frequently utilizes the Elios 3 for drone sewer inspections. In a recent project, they flew the Elios 3 along 2 underground canals for a condition assessment underneath an urban industrial zone. Altogether, they inspected 540 meters of canal systems underground.

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Case Study

Pre-construction survey of 9-foot-diameter pipeline

New York’s Gedeon GRC Consulting used the Elios 3 to assess and survey 850 linear feet of a wastewater pipeline serving over 113,000 customers in the Northeast ahead of critical maintenance to repair a struggling section of infrastructure.

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Case Study

Surveying 1,500 feet in 1 day with 2 people for relining

C&K Industrial Services turned to the Elios 3 sewer drone to assist them in surveying a sewer pipeline at Niagara Falls which had been damaged by Hydrogen sulfide. Their assessment of 1,500 feet/450 meters took just 1 day and reduced additional staffing by 80%.

Learn More

Case Study

Inspecting underground river canals in France

Sater, a subsidiary of Veolia, frequently utilizes the Elios 3 for drone sewer inspections. In a recent project, they flew the Elios 3 along 2 underground canals for a condition assessment underneath an urban industrial zone. Altogether, they inspected 540 meters of canal systems underground.

Learn More

Case Study

Pre-construction survey of 9-foot-diameter pipeline

New York’s Gedeon GRC Consulting used the Elios 3 to assess and survey 850 linear feet of a wastewater pipeline serving over 113,000 customers in the Northeast ahead of critical maintenance to repair a struggling section of infrastructure.

Learn More

Case Study

Surveying 1,500 feet in 1 day with 2 people for relining

C&K Industrial Services turned to the Elios 3 sewer drone to assist them in surveying a sewer pipeline at Niagara Falls which had been damaged by Hydrogen sulfide. Their assessment of 1,500 feet/450 meters took just 1 day and reduced additional staffing by 80%.

Learn More
Case Study Video Section — Video Left / Text Right
Flyability x Academy Geomatics

Case Study

Surveying sewers 4X faster with the Elios 3

Faced with ageing infrastructure, Academy Geomatics used the Elios 3 drone for a sewer pipeline inspection in the UK, remotely accessing the tunnel and completing an assessment 4X faster than traditional methods with 0 confined space entry. They explain how the Elios 3 and its Surveying Payload made it possible.

Learn More
Surveying sewers 4X faster with the Elios 3 — Academy Geomatics case study
Video: Academy Geomatics case study on surveying sewers 4X faster with the Elios 3.
RESOURCES

Learn more about sewer drones

Discover More
Sewers Webinar
Webinar
Sewers and Drone Inspections: A Match Made Underground
Watch the recording →
Lester Line Egg shape map street view
Case Study
Inspecting 260 meters of stormwater drains with the Elios 3 in Christchurch
Read more →
Sewers Case Study Sydney
News
Bringing Safer Confined Space Sewer Inspections To Sydney With The Elios 3
Read more →
AVC Case Study
Case Study
From Days of Work to a 30-Minute Flight for Oil Water Separator Tank Inspection
Read more →
Sewers Webinar
Webinar
Sewers and Drone Inspections: A Match Made Underground
Watch the recording →
Lester Line Egg shape map street view
Case Study
Inspecting 260 meters of stormwater drains with the Elios 3 in Christchurch
Read more →
Sewers Case Study Sydney
News
Bringing Safer Confined Space Sewer Inspections To Sydney With The Elios 3
Read more →
AVC Case Study
Case Study
From Days of Work to a 30-Minute Flight for Oil Water Separator Tank Inspection
Read more →
Discover More

Bring your sewer surveys into the modern era

The adoption of remote drone inspections will keep teams safe, ensure quality data collection, and create digital records of inaccessible areas ready for planning and maintenance. Learn how to implement this technology in your workflows today.

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What are the main applications for the Elios 3 in sewer network inspections?
Applications for sewer network inspections with the Elios 3 include assessing pipelines, manholes, pumping stations, culverts, desalination plants, water treatment sites, as well as completing georeferenced surveys, inspecting tanks and water storage, as well as accessing underground canals.
What are the benefits of drone sewer inspections?
A drone sewer inspection delivers remote access, cutting hazard exposure to staff as well as reducing the complexity of the inspection caused by confined space entry and additional standby safety teams. A drone can gather accurate data for a sewer inspection and provide results in industry-recognized formats in a fraction of the time taken for traditional inspections. Overall, drone sewer inspections are safer, faster, and cheaper per linear meter.
Can drones operate underground in sewers?
The Elios 3 drone can operate without a GPS signal, making it well-suited for inspecting underground sewers, pipelines, and tanks. It also has a collision-tolerant cage that makes it easy to fly beyond the visual line of sight without fear of collisions taking it out of the air.
Can the Elios 3 be used with WinCan?
Flyability and WinCan have partnered to create a custom integration for Elios drone data with the WinCan platform. You can learn more about it in our webinar.
Is the Elios 3 drone NASSCO compliant?
A NASSCO-compliant report requires visual data to be localized within the pipe in relation to the entry point. Missions with the Elios 3 can provide this data, which can be exported to NASSCO-accepted software such as WinCan and Pioneer to divide the pipeline into segments and catalogue defects. Learn about NASSCO-compliant projects with the Elios 3 in this case study.
What type of data can the Elios 3 collect?
The Elios 3 gathers visual data and a thermal sensor that can overlay the 4K video footage. In addition, the drone collects a 3D scan with its LiDAR sensor during flight, which is used for SLAM while in the air and for analysis and 3D modeling post-mission. Additional payloads can be mounted on the Elios 3 for ultrasonic thickness measurement of steel as well as radiation detection and alerts about flammable gases.
Can the Elios 3 detect flammable gases?
The Elios 3 has an additional payload called the Flammable Gas Sensor, which can alert pilots to the presence of over 14 flammable gases.
How can I start using drones for sewer inspections?
The first step would be to speak to our sales team to determine your use cases and design the right package for your needs, depending on the frequency of your inspections and size of the pipes you're assessing. Talk to our team to learn more.
What do you need for a drone sewer inspection?
We recommend using the Elios 3 drone and its Surveying Payload. This includes retroreflective targets to assist in georeferencing the dataset. We recommend using a total station or system for georeferencing your 3D model. Depending on how you wish to present your results, you may benefit from our Premium Software offering, which includes additional Inspector Online features and capabilities. You may also consider pairing your Elios 3 data with a new or existing WinCan subscription. If you're flying outdoors for the take-off of the drone, ensure you comply with local drone regulations - in some cases, it may be necessary to use a custom tent or cover system so the drone does not take off in open air. Talk to our team for more support.
What happens if the Elios 3 loses signal in a sewer?
We have a range extender with a 20-meter cable to boost the Elios 3's signal in sewer missions, which can be used at the point of entry or at another manhole further along the system. In addition, if the drone loses signal, it will automatically initiate "Return-to-Signal" and fly the exact same flight path in reverse to re-establish connection. Learn more about Flyability's automated features on the Elios 3.
What are the main applications for the Elios 3 in sewer network inspections?
Applications for sewer network inspections with the Elios 3 include assessing pipelines, manholes, pumping stations, culverts, desalination plants, water treatment sites, as well as completing georeferenced surveys, inspecting tanks and water storage, as well as accessing underground canals.
What are the benefits of drone sewer inspections?
A drone sewer inspection delivers remote access, cutting hazard exposure to staff as well as reducing the complexity of the inspection caused by confined space entry and additional standby safety teams. A drone can gather accurate data for a sewer inspection and provide results in industry-recognized formats in a fraction of the time taken for traditional inspections. Overall, drone sewer inspections are safer, faster, and cheaper per linear meter.
Can drones operate underground in sewers?
The Elios 3 drone can operate without a GPS signal, making it well-suited for inspecting underground sewers, pipelines, and tanks. It also has a collision-tolerant cage that makes it easy to fly beyond the visual line of sight without fear of collisions taking it out of the air.
Can the Elios 3 be used with WinCan?
Flyability and WinCan have partnered to create a custom integration for Elios drone data with the WinCan platform. You can learn more about it in our webinar.
Is the Elios 3 drone NASSCO compliant?
A NASSCO-compliant report requires visual data to be localized within the pipe in relation to the entry point. Missions with the Elios 3 can provide this data, which can be exported to NASSCO-accepted software such as WinCan and Pioneer to divide the pipeline into segments and catalogue defects. Learn about NASSCO-compliant projects with the Elios 3 in this case study.
What type of data can the Elios 3 collect?
The Elios 3 gathers visual data and a thermal sensor that can overlay the 4K video footage. In addition, the drone collects a 3D scan with its LiDAR sensor during flight, which is used for SLAM while in the air and for analysis and 3D modeling post-mission. Additional payloads can be mounted on the Elios 3 for ultrasonic thickness measurement of steel as well as radiation detection and alerts about flammable gases.
Can the Elios 3 detect flammable gases?
The Elios 3 has an additional payload called the Flammable Gas Sensor, which can alert pilots to the presence of over 14 flammable gases.
How can I start using drones for sewer inspections?
The first step would be to speak to our sales team to determine your use cases and design the right package for your needs, depending on the frequency of your inspections and size of the pipes you're assessing. Talk to our team to learn more.
What do you need for a drone sewer inspection?
We recommend using the Elios 3 drone and its Surveying Payload. This includes retroreflective targets to assist in georeferencing the dataset. We recommend using a total station or system for georeferencing your 3D model. Depending on how you wish to present your results, you may benefit from our Premium Software offering, which includes additional Inspector Online features and capabilities. You may also consider pairing your Elios 3 data with a new or existing WinCan subscription. If you're flying outdoors for the take-off of the drone, ensure you comply with local drone regulations - in some cases, it may be necessary to use a custom tent or cover system so the drone does not take off in open air. Talk to our team for more support.
What happens if the Elios 3 loses signal in a sewer?
We have a range extender with a 20-meter cable to boost the Elios 3's signal in sewer missions, which can be used at the point of entry or at another manhole further along the system. In addition, if the drone loses signal, it will automatically initiate "Return-to-Signal" and fly the exact same flight path in reverse to re-establish connection. Learn more about Flyability's automated features on the Elios 3.