What is Air Pigging?

Air pigging is a pipeline cleaning method that uses compressed air to push a device known as a “pig” through the inside of a pipe. As the pig travels, it removes deposits, biofilm and debris that can reduce flow and increase leakage risks.

Unlike traditional pipeline cleaning methods, which often rely on large volumes of water, air pigging uses compressed air to drive pigs through pipelines, delivering a more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective solution.

How Does Air Pigging Work?

1. A pig is inserted into the pipeline
2. Compressed air is used to propel the pig through the line
3. As it moves, the pig scrapes, cleans, and clears the pipeline
4. Deposits are collected and discharged at the end of the pipeline for removal

This simple yet effective method improves pipeline performance and reliability, especially in water networks that face leakage, sediment or contamination issues.

Why is Air Pigging Important for Water Utilities?

Water companies in the UK face growing pressure to:

• Reduce leakage across networks
• Improve efficiency of supply
• Minimise environmental impact
• Extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure

Air pigging helps achieve these goals by:

• Reducing water waste compared to flushing
• Cutting downtime with faster cleaning cycles
• Improving sustainability by lowering chemical and energy use

What Makes Smart Air Pigging Different?

At iNPIPE PRODUCTS™, we have taken air pigging a step further with Smart Air Pigging technology. This system combines compressed air cleaning with intelligent monitoring and innovation, delivering:

• Greater efficiency in cleaning long and complex water mains
• Measurable environmental benefits
• Cost savings for utilities under increasing operational pressure

Inspection, Validation & Commissioning

Smart Air Pigging doesn’t just clean pipelines — it also supports inspection, validation, and commissioning. Specially designed pigs can be equipped with high-definition cameras to capture detailed visuals inside the pipeline, validating cleaning results and identifying remaining debris or damage. In addition, iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ integrates advanced tools such as the modular Phoenix Debris Mapping system, which can be deployed with both metal-bodied pigs and foam pigs. This flexible design provides real-time data on pipeline condition and debris distribution, ensuring accurate inspection across a wide range of pipeline types.

Which Industries Can Benefit?

While Smart Air Pigging has been utilised in the water sector, its applications extend into:

• Wastewater treatment
• Desalination pipelines
• Industrial water networks
• Food and beverage sectors

This flexibility makes it a future-ready solution for multiple industries that need safe, sustainable pipeline cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air pigging safe for drinking water pipelines?
Yes. Air pigging is designed for use in potable water systems and is a safe, proven method of removing sediment and biofilm.

How often should air pigging be carried out?
The frequency depends on pipeline condition, age, and operating environment, but regular pigging helps prevent blockages and extend asset life.

Does air pigging replace traditional cleaning methods?
In many cases, yes. It offers a more sustainable and efficient alternative, though some networks may benefit from a combined cleaning strategy.

Learn More

Air pigging is already delivering results for the UK water sector. Our project with Avove has been recognised with a prestigious industry award, proving the value of Smart Air Pigging as a game-changer for pipeline cleaning.

Read the full case study here.

See it in action: Play the video below to watch our Smart Air Pigging animation.