Fiber Optic Networks Detect Water Leaks, Saving Millions of Liters Daily

Openreach, the operator of the UK's largest full-fiber network, has demonstrated that existing fiber optic infrastructure can detect underground water leaks by analyzing vibrations in fiber cables. The company's pilot project with Affinity Water prevented the loss of over 2 million liters of potable water daily across five test locations.

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How Distributed Acoustic Sensing Works

The technology, developed by startup Lightsonic, uses Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) to monitor changes in light beams traveling through fiber optic cables. When underground vibrations occur near water pipes, they create minute disturbances in the fiber that DAS can detect. Machine learning algorithms then analyze these signals to pinpoint the exact location of leaks and filter out background noise from normal traffic and environmental factors.

Openreach Director of Network Technology Trevor Linney explained that the system provides continuous 24/7 monitoring across 650 kilometers of water infrastructure in Walton-on-Thames, Hemel Hempstead, Luton, Chesham/Amersham, and Ware. This replaces the traditional approach of sending specialized teams to inspect specific sections of the water network.

Pilot Project Results

During three months of testing, Affinity Water detected and repaired over 100 leaks using the DAS system. The water saved—more than 700 million liters annually—is enough to supply over 10,000 people. Affinity Water serves more than 3.8 million customers across London, eastern England, and southeast England.

Lightsonic CEO Tommy Langnes noted that "transforming the telecom fiber-optic network into a continuous sensing layer unlocks entirely new ways to monitor utilities." The company's DAS box attaches easily to fiber infrastructure at the terminus of fiber optic lines, making it essentially a plug-and-play device.

Technical Implementation

According to an Openreach spokesperson, DAS operates using spare fiber cables and does not interfere with regular broadband operations. The company has sufficient capacity to run the system without affecting customers. Additionally, Openreach is experimenting with using the technology on lines carrying live internet traffic, enabling dual-purpose functionality.

The cost of deployment is expected to be negligible since the system utilizes pre-existing fiber optic cables rather than requiring new infrastructure.

Industry Implications

This application demonstrates how fiber networks can deliver value beyond broadband connectivity. As water scarcity becomes an increasing concern globally, the ability to detect leaks quickly and efficiently could significantly reduce water waste. The technology could be particularly valuable in regions with aging water infrastructure or areas prone to drought.

For telecommunications companies, this represents an opportunity to monetize existing infrastructure in new ways. The dual-use approach—where fiber serves both communications and sensing purposes—could make fiber deployments more economically attractive in areas where pure broadband revenue might not justify the investment.

Future Applications

While currently focused on water leak detection, the underlying technology could potentially monitor other underground infrastructure, including gas pipelines, electrical conduits, or even detect seismic activity. The success of this pilot suggests broader applications for DAS technology across utility and infrastructure sectors.

The partnership between Openreach and Affinity Water highlights how cross-industry collaboration can lead to innovative solutions for pressing environmental challenges. As water conservation becomes increasingly critical, technologies that can quickly identify and address infrastructure inefficiencies will likely see growing demand.