The benefits of Openreach’s extensive Full Fibre network are not limited to faster broadband. As pilots with fibre- sensing company Lightsonic and Affinity Water show, it also has a role to play in reducing the 2.6 billion litres of water lost every day through leaks across the country’s ageing water network.
Lightsonic’s leak detection technology transforms fibre networks into acoustic sensors that are able to ‘hear’ leaks in nearby water pipes, providing technicians with accurate location data so they can check and stop a leak quickly and efficiently. The technology can also categorise the most severe leaks to help maintenance teams prioritise repairs.
Openreach says Lightsonic’s fibre- optic leak detection platform enables technicians to find four times as many leaks in fewer field hours than existing leak detection methods, and removes the need to install a separate system of physical sensors or carry out widespread excavations.
In pilots with Affinity Water, Lightsonic used Openreach’s full fibre broadband network to monitor 650kilometres of the UK water network and in just three months located more than 100 leaks, saving 2 million litres of water a day, equivalent to more than 700 million litres a year, enough to supply 10,000 people.
So successful have the pilots been that Southern Water is now trialling Lightsonic’s water leak detection technology to help it meet OFWAT’s 2030 leak reduction targets and improve the drought resilience of its water supply network.
Tommy Langnes, CEO of Lightsonic, said: “By utilising existing fibre optic infrastructure, we have a solution that can be quickly and effectively scaled across the UK to help utility companies get a handle on leaks, secure supply and generate savings that can be reinvested to upgrade our ageing network. The industry needs a quick and comprehensive response and that is what we offer.”
