Hersher Smith - Submersible Robotic Cleaning Solutions

EST. 2012

About Hersher Smith Robotic Solutions

Engineering Confined-Space Solutions Since 2012

Hersher Smith Robotic Solutions Corp designs and deploys robotic systems for environments too hazardous, confined, or costly for human entry. Our fleet of work-class ROVs and purpose-built cleaning robots supports storm and sewage network operators, tunnel authorities, oil and gas facilities, and marine infrastructures across the UK.

Every deployment is backed by an engineering team experienced in large-diameter tunnel desilting, subsea sonar mapping, and confined-space robotic intervention — reducing risk, downtime, and cost across the asset lifecycle.

We provide complete turnkey solutions: extraction of silts, sedimentation tank incorporation, and compliant disposal to landfills — all managed through a single point of contact.

Our Fleet

Submersible Cleaning Robots

Purpose-built ROVs for sewage networks, tunnels, tanks, and marine infrastructure.

Cory ROVs

Compact, highly manoeuvrable underwater and in-pipe vehicles built for cleaning of high viscous fluids without disrupting operations or exposing personnel to confined-space or submerged hazards.

Capabilities

HD / 4K low-light cameras with multi-axis pan-tilt for full-circumference visual
Suitable for cleaning of high viscous fluids, contaminated waters, oils etc.
Slim, portable chassis for deployment through standard manholes and access shafts
Real-time video, and GPS/position-referenced data logging

Typical Applications

Stormwater and sewage networks
Large-diameter tunnel shafts and culvert structures
Dam, reservoir, and evaporation ponds

Depth Up to 30m

Camera 4K/HD PTZ

Pump 150m³/hr

Tether 30m+

Remoras ROVs

Compact, highly manoeuvrable underwater and in-pipe vehicles built for cleaning of high discharge fluids without disrupting operations or exposing personnel to confined-space or submerged hazards.

Capabilities

Suitable for cleaning of tunnels with silt depositions, contaminated waters, oils etc.
Slim, portable chassis for deployment through standard manholes and access shafts
Tether management system for extended-range pipeline and tunnel runs

Typical Applications

Stormwater and sewage network conditions
Large-diameter tunnel pipelines and culvert structures
Dam, reservoir, and evaporation ponds

Depth Up to 30m

Camera 4K/HD PTZ

Pump 130m³/hr

Tether 300m+

Otos ROV deployed in a chemical storage tank

Otos ROVs

Compact, highly manoeuvrable underwater ROV built for cleaning of chemical fluids such as sodium chloride, sulphuric acids, and chlorinated waters without disrupting operations or exposing personnel to confined-space or submerged hazards.

Typical Applications

Chemical tanks
Sea water intakes
Contaminated water storage ponds

Depth Up to 30m

Camera 4K/HD PTZ

Pump 120m³/hr

Tether 30m+

The Difference

Why Hersher Smith Robotics

A single, engineering-led partner for cleaning projects other contractors can't safely reach.

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Complete Solutions

Extraction of silts, sedimentation tank incorporation, and compliant disposal to landfills — handled end to end.

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Engineering-Led Approach

Custom BOMs, sediment assessments, and tooling design developed specifically for every project.

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Zero Confined-Space Entry

Eliminates confined-space entry risk for personnel working in tunnels, tanks, and pipelines.

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Single Point of Contact

One accountable team coordinating across all types of mediums for cleaning, from mobilisation to disposal.

Delivered Success

Proven Track Record

Large-scale sludge removal and tank cleaning projects for UK water and wastewater treatment operators.

Thames Water Cossington site aerial view

Hersher Smith operators monitoring ROV feed from control van

Thames Water — Cossington, Oxford, UK

Sewage Treatment Works

A 10m high, 10m diameter tank held roughly 1,200m³ of semi-mobile sludge. The client needed a fully turnkey solution covering safe disposal of the hazardous waste, not just the clean-out. We managed extraction and compliant disposal end to end as a single package — the Cory ROV was employed for the operation.

1,200m³

Sludge Volume

10m × 10m

Tank Ht & Dia

2 days

Turnaround

Hanningfield tank interior before cleaning

ROV deployed in Hanningfield tank sludge

Hanningfield Water Treatment Works — Essex

Water Treatment Works

Two new 1.25-megalitre tanks (15m diameter, 5m depth) required cleaning ahead of commissioning, on a tight schedule. Both tanks were cleaned in parallel to keep the project on programme.

2 tanks

1.25ML Each

15m × 5m

Dia & Depth

5 days

Turnaround

Knostrop Sludge Treatment Facility aerial view

ROV cleaning sediment inside Knostrop tank

Knostrop Sludge Treatment Facility — Leeds

Sludge Treatment Facility

Yorkshire's largest wastewater treatment plant, built by Black & Veatch for Yorkshire Water, treating all indigenous and imported sludge for the region. We cleared accumulated sediment deposits from a 30m diameter, 5.5m deep tank and handed the site back complete with full disposal of the removed material.

30m × 5.5m

Dia & Depth

Full

Disposal Scope

3 days

Turnaround

Stoke Bardolph biomethane plant aerial view

Stoke Bardolph Sewage Treatment Works — Nottingham

Biomethane Plant

Stoke Bardolph's biomethane plant upgrades digester gas for the national gas network, producing ~500m³ of biomethane per hour on a continuous basis. The tank, up to 30m diameter and 5m deep, needed cleaning without interrupting the plant's live operations. We removed 3,000m³ of sludge while the plant remained fully operational throughout.

3,000m³

Sludge Removed

30m × 5m

Dia & Depth

Zero

Downtime

Crossness Sewage Treatment Works aerial view

ROV cleaning tank at Crossness under zero-flow conditions

Crossness Sewage Treatment Works — London

Sewage Treatment Works

Operated by Thames Water in Greenwich, Crossness is one of the UK's largest sewage works, with an activated sludge plant of six 69m aeration lanes totalling 86,000m³ and a capacity of 564 million litres per day. Tanks up to 35m diameter and 4.5m deep had to be cleaned strictly under zero-flow conditions — we removed 3,500m³ of sludge with complete disposal, fully within the required window.

3,500m³

Sludge Removed

35m × 4.5m

Dia & Depth

3 days

Zero-Flow Window

Leadership

Meet Our Management Team

Experienced engineering and operations professionals leading Hersher Smith since 2012.

Thomas Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Founder and CEO since 2012. MSc in Mechanical Engineering with 20 years in water infrastructure. Pioneered remote inspection solutions for UK water authorities.

Jan Peeters

Financial Director

Chartered Accountant with 16 years in utilities and infrastructure finance. Manages £40M+ annual budgets across North European operations.

Lucia Benítez

Business Strategic Manager

10+ years in technical marketing for robotics and industrial automation. Leads business development, client relations, and strategic partnerships across UK water sector.

James Clarkson

Operations Director

30 years in water infrastructure and confined-space operations. Holds ROV pilot certification and oversees 40+ field technicians across UK sites.

Binu Koonan

Marketing Manager

Experienced marketing professional driving brand growth and client engagement across the GCC and UK water and infrastructure sectors.

Global Presence

Our Offices

Regional teams across the UK, Middle East, and Gulf ready to support your project.

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Head Office

United Kingdom

Ravenhead Business Park, Saint Helens WA10 3DB, United Kingdom

📞 +44 7759 159868

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Regional Office

Dubai

503 Al Warqa 1, Al Rashidiya Building, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

📞 +971 52 478 7060

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Regional Office

Qatar

17th Floor, Palm Tower B, West Bay, Doha, Qatar

📞 +974 5123 2324

Robotic Cleaning for Hazardous Water Systems

Engineering Confined-Space Solutions Since 2012