Smart Leak Detection Builds Drought Resilience Worldwide

As droughts grow more severe, utilities are using AI-driven leak detection and service-led models to conserve water, improve efficiency, and strengthen long-term climate resilience.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• October 23, 2025

As droughts intensify across the globe, utilities are turning to digital intelligence and smart leak detection systems to protect scarce water resources and build long-term resilience.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Global Drought Outlook (June 2025) reports that 40 percent of the world’s land area now faces higher drought stress than in previous decades, with economic losses expected to climb 35 percent in the next ten years.

Reducing water leakage remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient strategies to strengthen water security. Globally, non-revenue water accounts for roughly 30 percent of total supply — and in some regions, losses reach half of available water.

Data-Driven Solutions

Advances in remote monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated control are helping utilities detect leaks sooner and plan preventive maintenance. Modern systems combine sensors, AI-powered analysis, and cloud-based dashboards to provide 24/7 visibility across networks. These capabilities not only locate leaks in real time but also inform broader strategies for managing water scarcity.

Ovarro’s ControlPoint brand uses data and AI to support quality assurance during pipe installation. By identifying high-risk areas before leaks occur and optimizing pressure management, utilities can prioritize repairs and maintain leak-free infrastructure from day one.

Global Results

Ovarro’s smart technology is now deployed in more than 65 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australasia, delivering measurable water savings:

• Davao City, Philippines: Enigma loggers detected a major leak within days, allowing a planned production well to be postponed.
• Panamá City, Panama: The automated EnigmaREACH system identified 12 points of interest, confirming five leaks — including two bursts — in under two hours.
• England: Southern Water used Ovarro’s LeakNavigator service to detect 1,170 leaks across 40 district metered areas, saving more than 204 million liters daily.
• Paris, France: EnigmaREACH covered 8 kilometers of network in a single correlation and uncovered 10 leaks in just four weeks.

A Shift Toward Managed Services

While technology continues to advance, utilities are also changing how they deploy it. Many now adopt managed-service models, partnering experts to deliver rapid leak detection, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision support.

By combining smart technology with service expertise, utilities can strengthen operational efficiency, reduce losses, and ensure a sustainable supply — even amid growing climate uncertainty.