Satellite-Based Infrastructure Intelligence For Advanced Leak Detection Technology

Traditional leak detection methods often struggle to keep pace with expansive water networks, especially in regions with porous soil where leaks rarely surface. In Honolulu, the Board of Water Supply faced a six-year cycle to inspect its 2,100-mile system manually. To accelerate water conservation, the utility shifted to satellite-based infrastructure intelligence, which utilizes L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to identify subsurface soil moisture.

By analyzing these satellite-derived points of interest, field crews can bypass the needle-in-a-haystack approach and focus on high-probability locations. This strategy uncovered 748 leaks, predominantly non-surfacing, resulting in a daily water savings of nearly 1 million gallons. Integrating geospatial data into utility operations not only reduces non-revenue water but also bridge gaps left by automated metering systems that may miss underground failures.