A groundbreaking trial by Openreach, UK technology company Lightsonic, and Affinity Water uses Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology, which converts fibre optic cables into thousands of sensors that can detect and pinpoint leaks from surrounding water pipes. In just three months of operation, the fibre sensing technology was able to locate more than 100 leaks, saving 2 million litres of water a day.
The scale of the problem the technology tackles is substantial. England and Wales are losing around three billion litres of treated water daily through leaks, equivalent to the daily water use of more than 20 million people. That's around a fifth of the country's water supply. The fibre-optic leak detection platform is currently being piloted in five locations, using Openreach's near ubiquitous full fibre broadband footprint to monitor 650 kilometres of Affinity Water's network.
DAS technology works by detecting changes in the light signal used in fibre optic cables caused by vibrations from a leak or disturbance in surrounding networks. It uses machine learning to locate the exact point of the vibration, and it trains the system to separate background noise like the rumble of traffic or roadworks, so that leaks stand out clearly, even in busy streets.
What makes this approach particularly compelling is its cost structure and environmental benefit. It uses fibre that's already in the ground, turning it into thousands of tiny "virtual sensors", making it cheaper, quicker, and more environmentally friendly. Recovering 2 megalitres of water per day represents an estimated reduction of up to 300 tonnes of CO2 annually, through avoided abstraction, treatment, and pumping. Traditional leak detection methods remain labour-intensive; existing leakage detection relies on targeted surveys and skilled field teams working systematically across the network. Fibre sensing complements this approach by providing 24/7 monitoring, so leaks can be spotted sooner and reduce the time between surveys.
The UK results have attracted international attention. In Australia, Intelligent Water Networks, Greater Western Water, Veolia and FiberSense have teamed up to test the new technology in the field to address water loss, with IWN funding the trial in Melbourne's western region. The aim is to enhance intelligence in water, sewer and recycled water networks, using real-time data to enable proactive operational and strategic decisions. Currently, they conduct a leak survey of a third of their network each year. Real-time monitoring through FiberSense technology could do it quicker and more safely, allowing field crews to focus on improving the network as required.
For Australian utilities, the challenge is acute. Water conservation remains a priority across most Australian states, and the UK's water loss rates offer a cautionary benchmark. The fact that major telecommunications operators in both countries are partnering with water utilities suggests the technology is moving beyond experimental phases into operational deployment. As broadband infrastructure continues to expand across Australia and the region, water utilities will have increasing opportunities to leverage existing fibre networks for monitoring purposes, potentially avoiding billions of dollars in infrastructure replacement costs.