Using geographical information systems to address hydrogen sulfide in the sewer network of Leicestershire, UK

Hydrogen sulfide is a notorious problem within waste water networks, with the associated corrosion of assets resulting in significant financial and environmental implications. Geographical information systems (GIS) enable the relationships between multiple spatial data to be assessed, providing a useful mechanism to understand the root cause of past problems in the network and predict locations of future issues, enabling proactive measures to be taken. This study focuses on a catchment in Leicestershire, UK, which has experienced network failures as a result of hydrogen sulfide. It analyses a number of factors upstream of known hydrogen sulfide locations to establish likely root cause from the upstream network, and also sensitivity of the network to failure to establish which assets are at greatest risk. GIS proved a useful tool in assessing and communicating risk in the study catchment. Regular assessment and accurate up-to-date spacial data is key to enabling risk assessments using this approach to be effective.