The Challenge
In the face of drought and increasing water stress, the NSW government recognised the critical need to address leakage and water loss across regional water utilities. The goal was to enhance the utilities’ ability to efficiently identify, target, and repair leaks, ultimately conserving billions of water. The significant challenge required a comprehensive and coordinated effort to tackle water loss in a region facing severe environmental pressures.
Our Solution
To tackle this challenge, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) partnered with the NSW Water Directorate and local water utilities to launch the Regional Leakage Reduction Program. Aqua Analytics was selected as a key partner due to its expertise in leak detection and water loss management.
The Regional Network Leakage Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program. This initiative has already resulted in more than 15,450 kilometres of water mains being surveyed and over 4,000 leaks being found, saving councils billions of litres of lost water in a year.
The program encompassed three phases over 30 months, focusing on:
- Active Leak Detection: Aqua Analytics deployed skilled technicians and advanced acoustic technologies to survey over 10,000 kilometres of water mains across 28 regional councils. This comprehensive survey detected over 4,000 leaks, including both main leaks and leaks on customer properties.
- Data-Driven Reporting: Aqua Analytics provided detailed reports with precise leak locations, enabling local water utilities to prioritise and expedite repairs.
- Collaboration: Aqua Analytics worked closely with water utility staff, sharing knowledge and best practices to build capacity and improve long-term leak management.
Results
The impact of the Regional Leakage Reduction Program has been substantial:
- Over 5.1 Billion Liters of Water Saved Annually: The prompt repair of identified leaks has already resulted in significant water savings, contributing to regional water security and sustainability.
- Reduced Customer Costs: Addressing leaks on customer properties has saved water and lowered individual water bills.
- Enhanced Network Efficiency: Identifying leaks and other network issues has improved overall network performance and reduced operational costs.
Aqua Analytics' Contribution
Aqua Analytics played a crucial role in the success of this program and was actively involved in all three phases. Our expertise in leak detection, advanced technology, and collaborative approach enabled the identification and repair of numerous leaks in a relatively short timeframe. Since the award in early 2022, Aqua Analytics has undertaken projects in almost 30 councils, surveying 10,000 kilometres of water mains and finding 3,100 leaks. Our commitment to long-term water conservation efforts in NSW is evident through our extensive involvement and significant contributions.
Conclusion
The Regional Leakage Reduction Program is a testament to the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to water management. Through the combined efforts of the NSW government, local water utilities, and expert partners like Aqua Analytics, significant progress has been made in addressing water loss and improving the sustainability of regional water supplies. This program highlights the importance of innovative solutions, data-driven strategies, and teamwork in tackling the pressing issue of water conservation in the face of environmental challenges.
