💧Southern Water Taps Fiber Cables to Detect 4M Liters of Leaks Daily
Fiber Cables Now Detecting Water Leaks in Real-Time
TL;DR
Southern Water is trialing Lightsonic's tech to detect leaks via fiber-optic cables. The system uses machine learning to identify vibrations caused by leaks, reducing water loss by over 4 million liters daily.
Southern Water is trialing Lightsonic's technology to detect water leaks using fiber-optic cables. The system uses machine learning to distinguish leak signals from background noise, allowing for faster repairs. This technology is already preventing the loss of over 4 million liters of water daily across 650 km of the UK's water network. Southern Water is adopting this tech after a record-breaking hot and dry summer, aiming to meet Ofwat's leakage-reduction targets for 2030 and improve drought resilience.
Key Points
Lightsonic's tech uses Openreach's fiber network to detect vibrations from underground leaks, helping Southern Water save over 4 million liters daily.
Machine learning algorithms distinguish leak signals from traffic and roadworks, improving detection accuracy.
Southern Water's trial covers 650 km of water network, reducing leakage and improving drought resilience.
The utility aims to meet Ofwat's leakage-reduction targets for 2030 with this innovative technology.
Southern Water provides water and wastewater services across parts of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Kent.
Why It Matters
Southern Water's adoption of Lightsonic's fiber-optic leak detection technology is crucial for reducing water loss and improving drought resilience. With over 4 million liters saved daily, this tech is already making a significant impact. However, the company's track record on wastewater pollution highlights the need for balanced environmental stewardship.
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