3D Scanning

Aqua-Tech’s Technical Services team now offers advanced 3D scanning for water and utility infrastructure. This delivers rapid, non-invasive data capture with minimal disruption to operations.

What is 3D Scanning?

3D scanning is a non-invasive method of capturing precise spatial data to create accurate digital models of physical environments, enabling detailed analysis, design, and visualisation of complex infrastructure.

For example, our Technical Services team (meet them here) can simply lower a scanner into a sewage wet-well to safely capture the entire underground space. This produces a detailed 3D model along with diagrams, imagery, and engineering outputs, e.g. pointclouds, BIM models, 2D process diagrams, and virtual facility tours.

Benefits of 3D Scanning

Our Technical Services 3D Scanning provides:

Non-Invasive Facility Capture: Non-invasive data capture makes 3D scanning the method of choice for operational treatment facilities, minimising disruption to critical processes.

Reduced Safety Risks: The remote nature of documentation allows hazardous areas (e.g., chemical storage, confined spaces) to be captured without extensive physical access, significantly reducing safety risks.

Rapid Facility Measurement: The rapid speed of capture reduces time required on-site, minimising disruption to water treatment operations and allowing for quick turnaround of facility documentation.

Comprehensive Plant Documentation: 3D data capture is so thorough that every detail of complex treatment plants and underground assets will be recorded, greatly reducing the chance of omissions in facility planning and management.

Virtual Facility Tours: Photorealistic data allows virtual facility tours and inspections to be carried out without physically re-visiting the site, saving time and resources for plant managers and consultants.

Cost & Time Savings for Water Utilities: Reduced time spent on-site & minimised operational disruptions ultimately result in significant cost savings for water and wastewater treatment projects, upgrades, and maintenance.

3D Scanning Outputs

3D Facility Pointcloud: Millions of 3D points captured throughout water treatment facilities are unified and delivered directly to the client, providing a comprehensive view of complex plant layouts and equipment.

2D Treatment Process Diagrams: Detailed elevation, section & plan drawings of treatment processes can be produced to conventional engineering standards, aiding in optimisation and maintenance planning.

Water Infrastructure BIM Models: Parametric BIM models of water and wastewater treatment plants can be created, allowing clients the benefit of 4D capability for facility management and upgrade planning.

Treatment Process Animations: Pointcloud animations and high-resolution renders of treatment processes are created to allow detailed visualisation of plant operations and flow dynamics.

360° Facility Imagery: 360-degree images are captured at key locations throughout the facility, enabling virtual site visits and detailed data interrogation without disrupting operations.

Hydraulic Mesh Models: Precise 3D CAD models of treatment tanks, pipes, and other hydraulic structures can be created by draping a CAD surface over the 3D scan points, useful for flow analysis and process optimization.