There are global lessons to be learned as large parts of the western United States cope with issues caused by a significant decrease in water availability from the Colorado River. The impact on water supply from growth and climate factors threatens explosive development in areas like Phoenix and its suburbs, one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. A recent report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources indicated new development approvals may be curtailed unless water availability improves.
Additionally, municipalities across the country struggle with aging infrastructure that leaks millions of gallons of water each year. The EPA estimates that 40 states will face water shortages between now and early 2025. Globally, an estimated 35% of treated drinking water is lost annually before it reaches consumers. In the U.S., nearly 6 billion gallons of treated drinking water is lost every day due to leaks.
Yet, change is coming. Innovations by Oldcastle Infrastructure use actionable Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to identify leaks along long stretches of suburban communities in Arizona that, once repaired, save millions of gallons of drinking water each year.
“There is tremendous potential here to prevent our most precious resource from slipping through the cracks,” said Jeffrey Johnson, Innovation Manager for Oldcastle Infrastructure, who leads the company’s efforts around sustainable water solutions. “The AI technology in use in Arizona has implications for communities across the country — and the world — who are struggling to retain and efficiently distribute their water supply.”
As the global population continues to surge, water scarcity is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing humanity today. Exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization and inefficient water usage, this crisis threatens human health, agriculture, manufacturing and global security. A 2024 white paper from Oldcastle Infrastructure provides an in-depth analysis of this critical situation and offers technological solutions to mitigate water loss and enhance water conservation by detecting, locating, sizing and prioritizing water leaks in pipe infrastructures.
This vast amount of non-revenue water (NRW), defined as water lost due to leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies, constitutes a critical loss of a precious resource and represents a substantial financial burden on communities. For example, the American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that such losses cost U.S. municipalities and water utilities about $7.6 billion annually. This financial strain discourages necessary investments in infrastructure upgrades, resulting in higher consumer water bills.
Oldcastle Infrastructure details several notable case studies, including the public health crisis that occurred in Jackson, MS, in 2022. The intersection of two disasters—water treatment plant infrastructure failure and river flooding—left 160,000 people, along with hospitals, fire stations and schools—without safe drinking water. In many cases, the communities had no water service at all.
Exacerbating the problem, the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that Jackson’s water distribution system also had significant leaks and line breaks, with crews reporting repairing five or six each day. The disaster created a political debate highlighting infrastructure neglect and racial discrimination.
Addressing these water challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes innovative technologies in combating water loss. Oldcastle Infrastructure champions using AI and real-time sensing technologies that offer transformative opportunities to manage water more sustainably and efficiently. These technologies enable precise detection of leaks within water distribution systems, significantly reducing water losses and quantifying savings.
A standout innovation is the use of AI to detect leaks and accurately size and locate them. This allows water utilities to prioritize repairs based on the severity of leaks, optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiencies, and maximizing return on investment. Oldcastle Infrastructure's solutions are able to be employed across various types of pipe materials and network configurations.
Governments and communities are encouraged to support sustainable water management through infrastructure investment, water loss audits and initiatives to reduce water theft and promote water conservation. Community engagement and educational campaigns are also vital in fostering a culture of water conservation.
The call to action is clear: By embracing advanced technological solutions and fostering community and governmental collaboration, we can address the pressing challenge of water scarcity. This ensures the sustainability of water resources for current generations and secures these vital resources for the future.
As we face an increasingly uncertain global water landscape, technology integration in water management emerges not just as a tool but as a necessity in our collective effort to safeguard one of our most crucial natural resources.
