How Water Utilities Can Decrease Water Leaks

By Beth Powell, President at Fluid Conservation Systems

Recent headlines have reiterated the importance of efficient water usage, especially across the western U.S. states. The U.S. government has responded to this historic water crisis by passing stimulus legislation aimed at improving our nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure – the single largest investment ($50 billion) in water that the federal government has ever made. 

At Fluid Conservation Systems, we are often asked about the practical steps being taken to address water sustainability and how the industry can take advantage of water funding. Here are some common questions that we’ve responded to:

Q: In response to increasing demand and climate pressures, the reduction of network leakage has been identified as a critical factor in achieving water sustainability. Why are there so many leakages?

Given the aging infrastructure across municipalities, including steel, cast iron, and plastic with portions that can be more than 100 years old, it’s no surprise that non-revenue water loss can be as high as 50 percent. This adds tens of thousands of extra dollars to water bills. 

Large-scale network monitoring projects are needed which is a hugely complicated undertaking due to legacy water infrastructure.

Q: Billions of U.S. dollars will be allocated to water companies. How can this investment be used to stop water leakages?

Leak detection systems can decrease non-revenue water loss, saving thousands of dollars. The good news is digital solutions are enabling companies to create more intelligent networks, fit for modern infrastructure. This can be done with minimum disruption and cost to the water utility while reducing the need to invest in a completely new system.   

Our leak detection system combines an acoustic leak sensor with cellular connectivity which can be placed strategically across the water network. Attached to the water pipe’s valve with a strong magnet, the sensors listen (predominantly at night) for any anomalies. Their findings are sent back to base and overlaid with digital maps to identify the exact location of any leak, enabling an engineer to quickly investigate the issue.

By tapping into our ground microphones, leakage technicians can concentrate on leak noise rather than noise being created by automobile traffic, electronic hums, etc. Once the optimal frequency band has been set, it’s much easier to pinpoint the precise location of a leak.

Q: Tech innovation that prevents leaks could save water companies millions. How could this technology benefit ESG accountability across other industries? 

When a company’s environmental, social and governance position (ESG) is core to the business model, reporting ESG becomes part of the ordinary course of doing business, according to ‘How to make ESG real,’ by McKinsey. This includes measuring what matters with meaningful KPIs and objectives that tie directly into the business model (for example, water-use reduction). 

Without water, many companies and the products they provide would fail to exist. Water use is a fundamental commodity for nearly every step of the manufacturing process. When ESG fits squarely within a strategy, it is likely to have strong support from stakeholders within and beyond the organization.

While progress has been made, water companies are not resting on their laurels and are continuing to invest in newer, more advanced technological solutions to decrease non-revenue water loss.

We are part of Halma, a group of around 45 life-saving technology companies, who are committed to growing a safer, cleaner, and healthier future for everyone, every day. Our innovative technologies are supporting the sustainability goals of water companies globally while ensuring that this life-critical resource is protected.