How Smart Technologies Can Help Reduce Water Leaks
WATER, SMART CITIES MARCH 1, 2025
Water scarcity has become an increasingly serious threat due to climate disruption, growing populations, and aging utility grids. Lack of rainfall is an obvious cause of water scarcity but even in regions where water is plentiful, aging distribution systems can contribute to a significant loss of water.
Our aging water infrastructure systems have long been an out-of-sight, out-of-mind problem. But water loss from failing pipes, faulty meters, and theft often means lost revenue for utilities and higher rates for consumers.
An estimated 2.1 trillion gallons of treated drinking water leaks from outdated systems in the U.S. alone each year. The United States and Canada experience 260,000 water main breaks annually, representing $2.6 billion in annual repair costs.
In North America, it’s estimated that water utilities lose between 20%-50% of water in leaky aging pipes before it reaches their customers. The 2021 U.S. Infrastructure Report Card estimates that there is a water main break every two minutes, resulting in an estimated 6 billion gallons of treated water lost daily in the US, or enough to fill over 9,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. And worldwide, the World Bank calculated that non-revenue water (NRW), the cost of water lost to leaks along with standard theft and billing errors, exceeds $14 billion.
While these water loss statistics might dampen our spirits, there is some good news. The U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated more than $50 billion to the EPA to improve our nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
And new technologies like state-of-the-art auditing methods, leak detection monitoring, targeted repairs or upgrades, pressure management, and smart water meters are making an impact in lost water and water system inefficiencies.
Smart water meters monitor water usage in real-time, allowing for quick detection and repair of leaks. By providing detailed insights about water consumption patterns, these meters can help consumers and organizations identify areas where they can conserve water and reduce wastage. Modern smart water meters with AI-powered analytics can now detect leaks quickly with high accuracy.
For example, Singapore is aiding water conservation with smart water meters that can be read remotely each day instead of their previous method of reading meters manually every two months. Using smart water meters, households and businesses can track their daily water usage giving them greater visibility and control over their water usage. They can also get alerts about high usage and suspected leaks. This enables people to better understand their water usage pattern, be empowered to adjust water habits, and save on utility bills.
The Role of Consumers
Consumers can also play a part in water conservation at home. Leaks in an average household can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year. The EPA’s annual Fix a Leak Week this month provides valuable tips to help consumers reduce water leaks and costs at home.
Different utilities offer a variety of programs including:
Free smart water meter installations
Virtual home water audits
Community workshops on basic pipe maintenance and repair
Rebate programs for water-efficient appliances
The challenge of water scarcity requires a coordinated effort between governments, utilities, and consumers. While water leakage statistics are alarming, the combination of infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and increased public awareness provides hope for more sustainable water management in the future.
Source: EPA