Tackling leakage is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for utilities to bolster water security, writes Ben Crabtree, Product Line Director, Ovarro, revealing how the potential of smart technologies is being demonstrated around the world.

Ben Crabtree: Droughts are becoming longer, harsher and more frequent - with impacts that are accelerating. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development’s Global Drought Outlook (June 2025), 40% of the world’s land area is now experiencing greater drought stress than in the past, with economic losses projected to rise by 35% over the next decade.

Reducing leakage offers a quick and measurable way to strengthen water security. Globally, non-revenue water averages around 30% of supply - and in some regions, half of available water is lost. At a time of growing scarcity, that level of waste is unsustainable.

Recent advances in real-time digital intelligence are helping utilities respond more strategically to the leakage challenge and align with long-term water resource planning. Innovations in remote monitoring and predictive, automated analytics now give 24/7 visibility across water networks, allowing for faster, more accurate detection,but modern, data-powered leak systems are also informing longer-term leakage strategies – key to addressing water scarcity.

Technology is available that can identify high-risk areas before leaks occur, plan proactive maintenance programmes, optimise pressure management and ensure new infrastructure is leak-free from day one.

These are operational initiatives that Ovarro has been leading on with its ControlPoint brand, which uses data and AI for quality assurance when pipe fitting.

In regions facing water scarcity, tactical deployment allows teams to address leaks in hot-spot areas quickly, significantly cutting the time between identification and repair – critical when supplies are scarce and when utilities are asking customers to cut back their own use.

Globally, Ovarro technology is deployed across more than 65 countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America and Australasia, driving measurable water savings:

In England, Southern Water was an early adopter of LeakNavigator, the UK’s first fully-managed leakage service. The utility partnered with Ovarro for the targeted leak detection across 40 district metered areas. The project achieved an 80% conversion rate, detecting 1,170 leaks and saving 204Ml/d of water monthly.

In Davao City, in the Philippines, Ovarro’s Enigma loggers detected a major leak just days after installation. The volume of water saved meant a large-scale project to construct a new production well could be put on hold.

In Panamá City, Panama, Ovarro’s automated EnigmaREACH system was deployed in a busy district. Within a short period, the system identified 12 points of interest. Field verification confirmed five leaks - including two bursts - in less than two hours. From deployment to retrieval, five verified leaks were located within five hours, with seven to be verified, demonstrating the system’s speed and accuracy even in a built-up urban environment.

In Paris, France, the Grand-Orly Seine Bievre territory was the country’s first to benefit from EnigmaREACH. On first deployment, the system covered 8km of network in a single correlation shot and identified three leaks simultaneously. After four weeks, during which time the loggers were moved across multiple locations, 12 points of interest were raised and 10 leaks found, including long-running small leaks and leaking valves.

It is a given that technology will continue to advance, but the real transformation lies in how it is delivered. Increasingly, utilities are adopting service-led models – as Ovarro’s case studies demonstrate - partnering with experts who can deliver faster results and continuous improvement.

This managed service option allows utilities to focus on strategic planning and resilience, while trusted partners handle the technical delivery - from data analysis to field operations. By combining digital intelligence, service expertise and proactive planning, water companies can ensure a reliable, sustainable supply - even in the face of growing climate uncertainty.