AI and sensor technology deployed to optimize water management

Water utilities in the United Kingdom and India are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence and advanced sensor networks to manage water resources and improve treatment efficiency.

In England, Thames Water is utilizing over 75,000 acoustic sensors and satellite data to combat underground leaks, particularly during periods of dry weather. The company uses an AI-driven system developed with Origin Orbit to analyze satellite imagery for moisture and temperature anomalies. This technology has reportedly doubled leak detection accuracy and helped identify hundreds of leaks during initial trials, saving significant volumes of water.

In India, the Koyambedu Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant in Chennai has implemented an AI-driven intelligence layer to optimize wastewater recycling. Operated by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the facility provides high-quality industrial water to approximately 300 companies. The AI platform monitors variables such as pressure, flow, and energy consumption to enable predictive maintenance, membrane-health monitoring, and optimized chemical-cleaning schedules.