Comprex® Impulse Cleaning Pilot at Honey Hill Delivers “Outstanding” Results

IES Utilities Group has successfully introduced an innovative pipe cleaning solution to the UK water sector, delivering results that have been described by the client as having “exceeded expectations.”

As part of a recent pilot project in collaboration with Northumbrian Water, IES deployed the Comprex® Impulse Cleaning technology on a 12-inch (300mm) cement-lined cast iron main laid in 1922. The pipe, located in Honey Hill, had been taken out of supply due to high levels of internal sediment and mineral deposits, posing a significant risk of discolouration.

Despite the scale of the challenge, IES cleaned and recharged the 2,000-metre section of the main in less than a day, achieving a compliant turbidity level of 2.2 NTU—at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of traditional techniques.

Efficient, Sustainable, and Safe
Exclusively offered in the UK by IES, the Comprex® method combines air and water pulses to safely and effectively clean pipework without the use of chemicals or high-pressure systems. Key benefits include:
• Minimal water usage—less than 10% of that required for conventional flushing
• Extremely low waste output, usually manageable on-site
• Superior deposit removal with air and water pulses at high shear velocities (20 m/s)
• No risk of over-pressurisation—cleaning pressures are set below mains operating pressure
• Chemical-free, using only medical-grade air and potable water
• Quiet operation with low noise levels
• DWI-approved, ensuring safety and compliance
• Versatility across pipe types and sizes (from 50mm to 1200mm diameter)

How It Works
Comprex® replaces the water in the pipeline with compressed air at equal pressure to prevent ingress. Controlled air and water pulses are then introduced, gradually increasing in frequency and force. The process efficiently removes soft materials like biofilms and sediments first, followed by harder deposits—restoring turbidity to compliant levels in a short time frame.

Sampling and Results
Water quality samples were taken every 10 minutes by independent experts, showing clear evidence of staged cleaning progress. Initial turbidity spikes consisted mainly of biofilms and sediment, followed by samples rich in metals—proof of deeper layer removal.

A Promising Future
The pilot has been hailed as a success, with the client preparing a business case for wider deployment across a 6 to 12-month programme. The solution is expected to reduce the risk of water quality incidents and improve efficiency in strategic, distribution, and treatment assets. Additionally, it offers significant support in achieving lower Compliance Risk Index (CRI) scores.

See the technology in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2bQbQntNXs