Kopterflug inspects all safety-critical water management assets without human entry: digesters, clarification basins, water towers, channels and shafts – with the Flyability ELIOS 3, ROV and DJI M30T. GPS-free, collision-safe, 4K + LiDAR + thermography.
Digesters, clarification basins, water towers and channels – confined spaces, aggressive atmospheres, barely accessible. We inspect all safety-critical water management assets without human entry:
Digesters, clarification basins, channels – confined spaces with toxic atmospheres, digestion gas and limited access. Conventional manned entries are complex, expensive and dangerous. The ELIOS 3 solves this – without human entry.
With the ELIOS 3 (confined space / gas-hazardous), DJI M30T (exterior / thermal) and underwater drone (flooded), we cover the complete inspection needs of water and wastewater management – from dry to fully flooded, from aggressively gaseous to drinking water quality.
Interior wall coating for bubble formation, cracks and delamination. Heating coils for scaling, flow obstruction and leaks. Agitators and internals for twisting, wear and foreign body entanglement. H₂S corrosion in the gas space above the sludge surface. LiDAR scans the sludge surface for rough estimation of deposit height.
ELIOS 3 for dry or partially filled basins: inlet/outlet structures, weirs and overflow constructions. ROV for water-bearing basins: basin floor for sediment thicknesses, lamella clarifiers and immersed walls for blockage and biofilm growth, aeration membranes for clogging and delamination.
ROV (often underestimated use case): coating for blistering, cracks, delamination and undercutting; corrosion on climbing irons, pipelines and fittings; sediment/sludge deposits on the floor with LiDAR volume measurement; inlet/outlet pipes for ochreous deposits and foreign bodies. ELIOS 3 for empty or partially drained areas.
ELIOS 3 for dry channels and large profiles: cracks, shards, ingrowths, roots; shaft structures – access shafts, drop shafts; pump shafts, screens and suction lines. ROV for partially filled or flooded channels and siphons: floor and lower invert for deposits, erosion and subsidence damage.
M30T with thermal imaging for biogas lines and gas storage from the exterior: detecting leaks and condensate formation. Cooling towers and recirculation cooling systems: ELIOS 3 for interior walls, trickling filter media and irrigation systems – without operational interruption in shut-down sections.
ROV for the water side: sealing surfaces, inlet screens and floor erosion without divers. M30T for aerial overview of dam crest, slopes and overflow structures. Combination of both allows complete condition documentation without operational interruption.
We analyse your requirements and advise you free of charge on all technical and organisational questions – from gas-free measurement to documentation requirements.
You receive a transparent quotation. Together we plan the timing, operational interruption, access and safety concept.
Gas-free measurement, clearance, flight. We carry out the inspection with state-of-the-art drone technology – usually within a few hours.
You receive a detailed report with 4K recordings, 3D models, thermography analyses and systematic findings overview – auditable for your expert inspector.
Christian Engelke and Dipl.-Ing. Karsten Lehrke – your direct contacts for water management inspection projects.
Years of experience in digesters, channels and water towers. We understand the specific requirements of water management – gas-free measurement, drinking water protection, documentation obligations and minimal operational disruption.
We advise without sales pressure – even when that means: commission the service rather than purchase equipment.
Yes – with the right preparation. Digesters must be degassed and cleared before the drone flies in. We carry out a gas-free measurement beforehand with a calibrated multi-gas sensor (O₂, LEL, H₂S, CO). We only fly after confirmed gas-freedom. We then document interior walls, heating coils, agitators and internals – without any personnel having to enter.
We inspect all relevant confined spaces at a wastewater treatment plant: digesters, primary clarification basins, secondary clarification basins, grit chambers, pump shafts, gate chambers, inlet structures and pressure zone tanks. Open basins can also be overflown and documented by drone.
The ELIOS 3 is thoroughly cleaned before use in drinking water tanks. Decontamination in accordance with DVGW specifications is possible by arrangement with the operator. We coordinate the hygiene protocol and access procedure in advance with your operating staff. If in doubt: inspection with minimal residual volume or after partial draining.
Relevant standards are DIN EN 13508 (condition assessment of sewer channels), DWA guidelines on wastewater treatment plant technology and operation, and DGUV Rule 113-004 for confined spaces. Drinking water facilities are additionally subject to DVGW guidelines W 300 ff. Since no human entry takes place, the DGUV confined space entry obligation does not apply to the inspector.
Not necessarily. Depending on the asset, a partial operational intervention is sufficient: for digesters, gas-freedom is a prerequisite; for clarification basins, often just a sluice gate needs to be closed. Many inspections can be integrated into planned maintenance windows. Channels and shafts can frequently be inspected with reduced flow.
Yes – and this is one of the most important applications. The 4K camera shows cracks, delamination, efflorescence and carbonation damage on concrete walls and floors. LiDAR can record deformations and geometry changes. For more extensive testing (e.g., wall thickness measurement by ultrasound), we refer to accredited testing companies.
LiDAR creates a complete 3D model of the digester interior – regardless of lighting. This enables precise recording of sediment heights and volumes, detection of deposits on heating coils, and comparison of geometries across multiple inspection cycles. Sludge accumulation can be quantified and cleaning requirements planned.
Yes. Thermography detects moisture behind coatings, thermal anomalies at welds and insulation defects. In high-level tanks, it shows temperature gradient zones and potential leaks. Thermography is an indicative method – it provides indications for further testing but does not replace normative non-destructive testing.
You receive: 4K recordings of all documented areas with finding markings, LiDAR 3D point clouds for sediment volumes, geometries and deformation analyses, thermography recordings as required, and a structured inspection report as the basis for your expert inspector, maintenance planning or operational documentation.
The ELIOS 3 requires a minimum opening of DN 600 for safe flight. For small channels and pipe cross-sections, we recommend our partner services for conventional channel inspection. For shafts and channels from DN 1200, deployment is generally straightforward.
Camera vehicles drive along the channel invert and document from below. The drone flies freely within the cross-section and can capture all walls, the soffit and internals from various angles – even above water. LiDAR simultaneously records the complete 3D cross-section. For standard channel inspection per EN 13508, conventional CCTV survey is the norm – the drone complements by accessing difficult-to-reach areas.
Duration depends on the asset type. A single digester (Ø 8–12 m, H 15–25 m) is typically inspected in 2–4 hours – including gas-free measurement, set-up and documentation. Larger wastewater treatment plants with multiple basins are typically planned for 1–2 days. Water towers and high-level tanks: 3–5 hours. Detailed planning after initial consultation.
Yes. The ELIOS 3 creates a LiDAR 3D model in parallel with the video recording, in which every finding is georeferenced. Cracks, delamination and corrosion spots are thus locatable to within a decimetre – even in completely dark tanks without GPS signal. The inspection report contains coordinates and image extract for every finding.
In most cases yes. For visual condition assessment, LiDAR geometry and thermography, no human entry is required. The drone reaches all walls, internals and hard-to-access areas without scaffolding, ladders or protective equipment. Exception: sampling, wall thickness measurement by ultrasound or weld testing per standard still require direct access. We advise honestly about what the drone can deliver and where conventional methods make more sense.
Yes. Since no personnel enter the confined space, the requirements of DGUV Rule 113-004 for the person entering do not apply – no rescue team, no breathing apparatus for the inspector. The BetrSichV prescribes regular inspections; our drone inspection delivers the required documentation as the basis for the expert inspector. We recommend coordinating the procedure with your safety officer and the responsible authority.
Drinking water tanks are subject to the strict requirements of the German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) and the DVGW technical standards W 300 ff. Before deployment, all equipment components are cleaned with approved disinfectants. We coordinate the hygiene protocol individually with your water utility and document all disinfection steps without gaps. For particularly sensitive installations, the inspection can also be conducted at reduced water level without direct water contact.
Yes. The ELIOS 3 is designed for deployment in industrial environments with high humidity and condensation. The protective cage shields the sensors from dripping water and light spray mist. We routinely fly in digesters, treatment basins and reservoirs with residual moisture. When standing water is present at the bottom, we combine the drone flight with our ROV system (Chasing M2 Pro Max) for the underwater areas.
Our reports are structured to serve directly as a basis for expert inspections under BetrSichV and regulatory approval procedures. You receive georeferenced finding images, measurements from LiDAR data and a prioritised damage list. The format meets the requirements of environmental agencies, water authorities and trade associations. On request, we also deliver data in DWA-compliant format for your operational documentation.
Yes. For dams and barrages we deploy the DJI Matrice 30T with zoom and thermography camera for the exterior inspection. This documents cracks, washouts, seepage outflows and vegetation growth on the dam crest and air side. Inspection galleries and revision tunnels inside are inspected with the ELIOS 3. This delivers a complete condition documentation in accordance with DIN 19700 without complex rope access equipment.
Inspection intervals depend on asset type and regulatory framework. Drinking water tanks should be inspected every 3–5 years according to DVGW W 300. For digesters we recommend intervals of 2–3 years, as biogenic sulphuric acid corrosion can progress rapidly. Sewer systems are subject to inspection cycles of 5–10 years depending on municipality. We advise you on the optimal inspection frequency for your asset portfolio.
Yes, and this is one of the greatest advantages of drone-based inspection. Using LiDAR 3D models we can quantitatively compare geometry changes, crack progression and sediment build-up across multiple inspection cycles. Every finding is stored with georeferencing so the exact same location can be re-found in subsequent flights. This creates a seamless damage history that enables well-founded maintenance decisions.
Costs depend on asset type, number of objects to be inspected and required sensor technology. A single digester or reservoir typically starts in the low four-figure range. Compared to conventional methods with scaffolding, rescue team and DGUV entry process, you typically save 40–60 % of total costs while achieving significantly shorter asset downtime. We prepare a specific quote based on a brief preliminary assessment or your asset documentation.
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