A significant water utility in Southeast Queensland, facing the dual pressures of high demand and a significant bulk water price of approximately $3,500 per megalitre, was grappling with substantial non-revenue water (NRW). In this context, every litre lost to leakage represented a direct financial burden.
The utility required a partner who could respond promptly to network anomalies, accurately identify leaks, and deliver a clear, quantifiable return on investment for their water loss reduction program. This program was closely aligned with their Central Event Management (CEM) implementation, which allows them to view DMA level data and prioritise field activities.
Aqua Analytics was engaged for targeted District Metered Area (DMA) investigations, designed to address the utility’s water loss challenges. Our solution was built on a foundation of rapid response, data-driven insights and high-quality field services, which proved critical for proactive leakage reduction:
This case study illustrates the significant financial and environmental benefits of a strategic, data-driven approach to water loss management in a high-cost environment, such as Southeast Queensland.
By partnering with Aqua Analytics, this major water utility was able to move beyond reactive repairs to a proactive, results-oriented program. Our professional leakage detection services and digital asset management solutions enabled them to achieve a substantial return on every dollar invested, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient water network for the future.
Ready to achieve a similar ROI on your water loss program? Contact our experts today to discuss your network’s unique challenges.
Regional councils across New South Wales face the persistent challenge of high non-revenue water (NRW) volumes. Aging infrastructure, limited resources, and the vast geographical scale of their networks often lead to significant water loss, impacting operational budgets and the long-term sustainability of water supplies. A cohesive, multi-year strategy for water loss reduction was required to help multiple councils not only find leaks but also build the asset intelligence needed for proactive network management.
Following the successful completion of a three-year project, Aqua Analytics was awarded a new two-year extension, which brings our total continuous involvement in regional NSW water loss management to five years.
This strategic initiative is designed to empower over 60 councils with the tools and data necessary to significantly reduce leakage and improve overall network efficiency. The trust and proven delivery over the past three years made Aqua Analytics the logical choice to continue this critical work.
Aqua Analytics has had a considerable impact on the Active Leak Detection Project, a key part of the NSW Government’s $35.3 million Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program.
Our efforts, which are estimated to have contributed 65% to the project, have allowed the proactive active leak detection on 23,325 km of water mains, leading to the discovery of over 3,750 leaks. The collaborative work with regional councils has resulted in the repair of leaks that were wasting 7,885 ML of water per year.
This multi-year partnership has proven to be a cornerstone for water loss reduction in regional New South Wales. The award of the new two-year project is a powerful testament to the success of the initial three-year engagement.
By providing expert field teams, rapid reporting, and critical asset intelligence, Aqua Analytics has helped dozens of councils move beyond reactive maintenance.
This continuous five-year involvement, which makes Aqua Analytics the only provider in all phases of the program, positions us as a key partner in building more resilient and sustainable water networks for councils across Australia and New Zealand. As these asset owners continue to prioritise water loss management, this project serves as a model for how comprehensive, data-driven strategies can deliver lasting results and ensure water security for communities across the region.
A district council in the South Island of New Zealand recognised the urgency of addressing water loss within their network, particularly as the summer months approached.
They engaged Aqua Analytics to undertake an intensive active leakage control investigation to ensure a resilient water supply for their community. Our team mobilised within weeks of award and completed the work within a few days.
The project focused on two of the council’s water systems, covering 51 kilometres of water mains. The network presented unique challenges due to a high proportion of non-metallic pipes (uPVC and PE), making leak detection more complex and requiring a skilled team to investigate.
Aqua Analytics deployed a skilled two-person team equipped with sensitive acoustic equipment to conduct a thorough survey, accessing all available appurtenances and water meters.
Using a GIS-centric approach, Aqua Analytics meticulously mapped and recorded each leak’s location. This spatial data was integrated into the council’s GIS system, enabling swift visualisation and prioritisation of repair works. By accurately pinpointing leak locations, the council could dispatch repair crews efficiently, reducing response times and minimising water wastage.
The intensive investigation yielded significant results, uncovering a total of 34 leaks, including 30 network leaks and 4 customer-side leaks.
The combined leakage amounted to a substantial 234 liters per minute, translating to a staggering 123 megaliters of annual water loss. Notably, some leaks on mains and ferrules exceeded 20 liters per minute, highlighting the potential for significant wastage over time.
Over 85% of the detected leaks were not visible above ground, underscoring the importance of proactive leak detection in identifying hidden water loss. As the summer months approached, this intervention was crucial in ensuring the community’s water supply remained resilient during periods of peak demand.
Aqua Analytics’ expertise in leak detection and GIS-centric reporting enabled the district council to proactively address non-revenue water challenges in the South Island of New Zealand.
By implementing a targeted and efficient investigation, we identified and quantified significant water loss, empowering the council to take swift corrective action and ensure a more sustainable and resilient water supply for their community.
New Zealand councils are now better equipped to address water loss challenges with the shift to a new funding model under the “Local Water Done Well” initiative. This positive development, coupled with the proactive leak detection services provided by Aqua Analytics, paves the way for improved water network efficiency and sustainability across the nation.
Airports, as bustling hubs of activity, rely on intricate water infrastructure networks to support their multifaceted operations. During routine resurfacing work, a critical water supply line at this major airport developed a leak, jeopardising the smooth functioning of essential services. The leak posed a serious threat of disruption to flight schedules, passenger services, and the airport’s overall operational efficiency. The urgency of the situation, coupled with the necessity to minimise disruption during peak hours, required a swift and specialised night-work solution.
Recognising the criticality of the situation, the airport turned to Aqua Analytics. Understanding the unique challenges of working within a high-stakes environment like an airport, and with the appropriate security clearances, Aqua Analytics swiftly mobilised. Our approach required:
Client Quote: “We entrusted Aqua Analytics with monitoring several water mains during our two-week HDD project. Their daily reports gave the water utility the assurance they needed, confirming our work caused no damage. We will definitely use Aqua Analytics again in the future.”
The successful resolution of this leak at a major Sydney airport underscores the criticality of robust water infrastructure for seamless airport operations. Aqua Analytics’ swift response and expertise in leak detection averted potential disruptions to essential services, demonstrating the importance of proactive water supply management in high-stakes environments.
Airports, as complex and dynamic hubs, require specialised solutions to maintain the integrity of their water pipelines. Aqua Analytics offers a comprehensive suite of services, including real-time leak monitoring, pipeline condition assessment, and data-driven insights, enabling airports to safeguard their critical water infrastructure, minimise downtime, and ensure operational continuity. By partnering with Aqua Analytics, airports can proactively manage their water networks, optimise maintenance, and reduce costs, ultimately enhancing the passenger experience and contributing to overall operational success.
Despite previous efforts by its usual service providers, the council needed to grapple with persistently high leakage levels in two District Metering Areas (DMAs). Recognising the need for a fresh approach, the council sought a performance-based engagement with a provider who could deliver measurable results and lasting improvements to its water network.
With a proven track record in water network management and leak detection and the ability to take on performance-based engagements, Aqua Analytics was selected to address the council’s challenges. The project focused on:
Client Quote: “The leakage levels in these two DMAs are now the lowest we have ever seen thanks to Aqua.”
Aqua Analytics’ successful partnership with this New Zealand council demonstrates the power of a performance-based, data-driven approach to leak detection and water loss management. Aqua Analytics delivered exceptional results by combining technical expertise, innovative solutions, and a commitment to client satisfaction, ensuring a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable water network for the community. The ability to lower water loss in these DMAs demonstrated to the council that alternative approaches exist to help them achieve their goals.
Our client, Aqwest, manages a vast water distribution network, serving approximately 18,000 properties across a diverse landscape. Maintaining efficient water delivery and minimising water loss is a constant priority for the utility. Aqwest sought a comprehensive approach to leak detection and valve assessment to address these challenges proactively.
Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a thorough investigation of the distribution network, spanning approximately 140 kilometres. The project encompassed:
Aqua Analytics’ comprehensive leak detection and valve assessment approach significantly benefited Aqwest. The project contributed to the region’s more reliable, efficient, and sustainable water supply by combining technical expertise, advanced technologies, and a data-driven approach. This case study underscores the value of proactive water management in conserving resources, reducing costs, and ensuring the long-term resilience of water infrastructure.
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.
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:
The impact of the Regional Leakage Reduction Program has been substantial:
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.
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.
Yarra Valley Water, responsible for providing water and sanitation services to over 2 million people, sought to enhance their proactive approach to leak detection and water loss reduction. Their extensive network, spanning 4,000 square kilometres and over 10,000 kilometres of water mains, required a comprehensive and efficient solution to effectively manage and mitigate water loss across such a vast area.
In 2021, Yarra Valley Water partnered with Aqua Analytics, a leading water network intelligence solutions provider, to tackle this challenge. The initial three-year contract focused on several key areas:
Over the initial three-year period and the subsequent two-year extension, Aqua Analytics’ solution has delivered significant benefits to Yarra Valley Water:
Based on the success of the initial collaboration, Yarra Valley Water extended the contract with Aqua Analytics for an additional two years through mid-2026. This extension is a testament to the value and effectiveness of Aqua Analytics’s services.
The ongoing partnership between Yarra Valley Water and Aqua Analytics exemplifies a commitment to innovation and sustainability in the water industry. By proactively addressing water loss, they have conserved a vital resource and ensured the continued reliability and affordability of water services for millions of Victorians. This collaboration is a model for other water utilities seeking to optimise their network management and achieve long-term water sustainability.
The Tasmanian water utility was experiencing significant water loss throughout its network, impacting operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. With an extensive network of water mains to maintain, the utility sought a proactive and data-driven solution to pinpoint and address leaks promptly.
Aqua Analytics was engaged on an initial three-month contract, later extended to eight months, to conduct a comprehensive leak detection program. This involved:
Aqua Analytics’ partnership with the Tasmanian water utility exemplifies a successful collaboration in tackling water loss. By combining advanced leak detection technology, innovative reporting platforms, and a dedicated local team, Aqua Analytics delivered significant water savings and improved the utility’s long-term sustainability of its water network.
