Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 13 hrs ago
Southern Water to use fibre optics to find leaks faster
Southern Water plans to use Lightsonic’s technology to find leaks in its drinking water network across southern England.
The system uses Openreach fibre-optic cables as acoustic sensors, detecting sounds and vibrations linked to leaks without installing a separate sensor network.
The move comes as drought conditions affect much of England and water companies face pressure to protect supplies.
About 2.6 billion litres of water are lost through leaks across England each day, while many water mains are old.
Southern Water says it has reduced leakage for three consecutive years and will use the technology to support its leakage programme and meet Ofwat’s 2030 targets.
The company plans to trial the system over winter, when colder conditions can lead to more leaks.
It hopes faster detection and repairs will help protect water supplies and improve drought resilience.
Southern Water plans to trial Lightsonic’s fibre optic technology to locate leaks in its drinking water network more quickly.
The system uses Openreach telecommunications cables alongside water pipes as acoustic sensors that detect sounds and vibrations linked to leaks.
The utility says the trial will support its leakage reduction programme and drought resilience.
Southern Water selected Lightsonic after earlier work with Affinity Water and Openreach demonstrated the technology’s potential.
Lightsonic says its technology has helped save more than four million litres of water per day across 650 kilometres of the UK’s water network.
- Who
- Southern Water is working with Lightsonic, using Openreach’s existing fibre optic infrastructure.
- What
- Southern Water plans to trial fibre optic leak detection technology to help locate leaks faster.
- When
- The trial is planned for the winter; no specific date is stated.
- Where
- Southern Water’s drinking water network in southern England.
- Why
- To find and fix leaks more effectively, reduce water losses and support drought resilience.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Southern Water selected Lightsonic’s technology after that work demonstrated its potential to reduce leakage.
Southern Water plans to trial the technology, with colder conditions expected to result in more leaks.
- Technology
- Lightsonic’s fibre optic leak detection system
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Openreach’s existing fibre optic network
- Daily water savings
- More than 4 million litres, according to Lightsonic
- Network monitored
- 650 kilometres of the UK’s water network
- Southern Water drinking water customers
- 2.7 million
3 sources
What people are saying
We’ve reduced leakage across our network for three consecutive years and continue to invest in innovative techniques and technologies to find and fix leaks even more effectively.
We’ve been impressed by the leakage reduction metrics and proven success of Lightsonic’s technology and are looking forward to working with the team as we head into winter – when colder conditions can result in more leaks – to trial a new way of detecting and tackling them.
Ageing infrastructure, leaking networks and mounting climate pressure are converging, causing major water stress.
By utilising existing fibre optic infrastructure, we have a solution that can be quickly and effectively scaled across the UK to help utility companies get …