Eyes in the sky: how drones are changing the way we work

Just a few years ago, using drones at Greater Western Water (GWW) was just an idea. Today, the drone team is busier than ever, supporting everything from water quality sampling and asset inspections to surveying and infrastructure projects.

GWW's Survey Programs Lead, Jack Gavran, was one of the first employees to obtain a remote pilot licence (RePL) to operate a drone.

"The business saw an opportunity to introduce drones back in 2019, mainly to create 3D images of some of our treatment plants and improve the accuracy of our asset records," Jack said.

"We started small, but over time we've built something that's become really valuable for the business."

The program reached another significant milestone in August 2023 when GWW obtained a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ReOC) and appointed Joe Curseri as its first Chief Remote Pilot.

The ReOC certification enabled the team to use drones across a broader range of activities while meeting Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements.

Since then, the team has continued to build a larger and more versatile drone fleet, incorporating more advanced technology to support a wider range of operations.

The fleet now also includes a new waterproof drone, allowing the team to continue inspections and other activities safely and efficiently, even in challenging weather conditions.

For Jack and Joe, the duo who now lead GWW's drone program, the mission is simple: use drones to improve safety, provide greater insights and support faster, more informed decision-making across the business.

The technology helps teams access information that would otherwise be difficult, time-consuming or risky to collect.

Together, they inspect water storage tanks, create 3D models of project sites, collect water samples, conduct environmental surveys, participate in incident management, and use thermal imaging to identify leaks and monitor water levels.

Live video feeds can also provide real-time information, giving teams immediate visibility of incidents across the region.

GWW's Operator in Charge of Water Network Operations, Brendan Dalgleish, said his team calls on the drone team every quarter to inspect elevated water storage tanks across the network for signs of corrosion, water pooling and other maintenance issues.

"The drone inspections provide detailed information without requiring employees to work at heights," he said.

"The inspections help us safely and efficiently assess the condition of our water storage tanks, identify maintenance issues and prioritise works across the network."

At one of GWW's treatment plants, the team recently used drones to measure large sludge stockpiles that needed to be removed to meet environmental requirements.

Traditionally, surveyors would have needed to physically walk across and measure the stockpiles. Instead, the work was completed safely and accurately from the air.

"We were able to work out exactly how much material there was and what would be involved in removing it," Jack said.

Drones are also supporting environmental research. The team uses specially designed equipment to collect water samples from lagoons and treatment ponds, providing valuable data for projects investigating water quality and blue-green algae.

The work complements GWW's broader research partnerships and helps improve understanding of environmental conditions across the region.

For Joe, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing how the technology continues to evolve and how drones are becoming an increasingly valuable tool for the organisation.

"Every project is a little bit different and we're always finding new ways we can use drones to solve problems and gather information," he said.

"Having that bird's-eye view gives us information we simply couldn't get from the ground."

It may have started as a small idea, but the impact across GWW has been big, helping teams work more safely, efficiently and effectively. As GWW continues to innovate, drones will play an even bigger role in supporting customers, communities and the environment.