Openreach trials 'pioneering' fibre-optic water leak detection | Computer Weekly

"Openreach says the appeal of the project is its simplicity and scale: it uses fibre already in the ground, applies machine learning to "listen" for leaks in nearby pipes, and pinpoints issues to within a few metres. The pilot sees utility provider Affinity Water and UK technology company Lightsonic use Distributed Acoustic Sensing to convert Openreach's fibre optic cables into thousands of sensors that can "hear" and pinpoint leaks from surrounding water pipes."

"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."

"Daily leaks of three billion litres of treated water in England and Wales are said to equate to the daily water usage of more than 20 million people, and, according to water regulator Ofwat, around one-fifth of the country's water supply. Affinity Water, along with the rest of the UK's water industry, has committed to halving leakage levels by 2050."

Openreach partnered with Affinity Water and Lightsonic to trial leak detection technology using existing fibre optic cables. The system employs Distributed Acoustic Sensing to convert fibre cables into thousands of sensors that detect vibrations from leaks in surrounding water pipes. Machine learning algorithms identify leak locations within metres while filtering background noise from traffic and roadworks. The pilot operates across five locations in southern England, monitoring 650km of water infrastructure. Early results show significant water savings, with the technology preventing two megalitres of loss in three months. This addresses critical water waste challenges, as England and Wales lose three billion litres daily through leaks, equivalent to one-fifth of national water supply.

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