ROV inspection: a safer, smarter approach to potable water tank integrity

Smarter inspection solutions for critical water infrastructure

Potable water tanks play a critical role in supporting industrial operations, remote facilities and essential water infrastructure. Maintaining the integrity of these assets is vital to ensure water quality, operational reliability and compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Traditional inspection methods often require tanks to be drained and personnel to enter confined spaces which introduces safety risks, operational disruption and significant cost. ROV-based inspection technology provides a proven alternative, allowing detailed internal assessments to be completed while tanks remain in service.

The Applus+ ROV inspection approach

Applus+ in Australia delivers end-to-end ROV inspection services designed for enclosed and submerged environments such as potable water tanks. Our solution integrates specialised inspection expertise with advanced imaging technology to provide clear, actionable insights into asset condition.
Key elements of the Applus+ ROV inspection capability include:

• Deployment of qualified ROV operators and purpose-built ROV systems
• High-resolution photography and 4K video capture for detailed visual assessment
• Targeted inspection of critical internal components, including tank shells, nozzles, floors and sumps
• Comprehensive reporting aligned with client, safety and regulatory requirements

This approach ensures consistent inspection quality while minimising operational impact.
 

Inspection without draining or downtime

A key advantage of ROV inspection is the ability to assess internal tank condition without draining the asset. This eliminates water loss, reduces environmental impact and allows inspections to be completed without interrupting operations.

Applus+ ROV inspections enable:

• Zero or minimal operational downtime
• Immediate access to inspection results following data capture
• Rapid project execution, typically completed within days rather than weeks

High-quality visual data supports early identification of coating degradation, corrosion or mechanical damage, enabling proactive maintenance planning.

Safety and cost benefits for asset owners

ROV inspections significantly reduce personnel exposure to high-risk environments by removing the need for confined space entry. Eliminating tank draining, cleaning and re-filling activities also results in substantial cost savings while simplifying inspection logistics.

Industry-wide benefits include:

•    Improved safety outcomes by avoiding confined space entry
•    Lower inspection costs through reduced preparation and reinstatement work
•    Improved asset availability by keeping tanks operational
•    Reliable inspection records to support ongoing asset integrity programs

These advantages make ROV inspection an increasingly preferred solution for water storage assets across industrial, energy and infrastructure markets.

Integrated asset integrity support

ROV potable water tank inspection forms part of Applus+ in Australia’s broader asset integrity and inspection service offering. Applus+ provides a holistic approach to asset lifecycle management including related services such as non-destructive testing (NDT), materials assessment and integrity engineering.

Setting new standards for tank inspection

As industries continue to prioritise safety, efficiency and sustainability, remote inspection technologies are redefining how critical assets are assessed. Applus+ in Australia remains at the forefront of this evolution, delivering ROV inspection solutions that help asset owners maintain confidence in their infrastructure—without compromising safety, quality or operations.