At Thames Water, condition monitoring data repeatedly highlighted lubrication-related defects as a significant contributor to asset health deterioration. Rather than treating lubrication as a routine maintenance activity, we repositioned it as a core reliability discipline. By combining ultrasound, oil analysis, workforce training, audit programmes and improved standards, we began identifying and eliminating lubrication-related failures before they impacted operations. This presentation will demonstrate how we used data to challenge long-standing practices, improved lubrication quality across multiple sites, and established a foundation for more proactive asset management and improved equipment reliability.

• Using condition monitoring to expose lubrication-related defects.
• Moving beyond time-based lubrication practices.
• Building workforce competence through targeted training.
• Implementing lubrication audits and governance standards.
• Applying ultrasound to optimise bearing lubrication.
• Demonstrating reliability gains through better lubrication practices.