Across the globe, water systems face an invisible crisis that drains billions of dollars every year. In the U.S. alone, aging infrastructure causes water losses costing utilities an estimated $6.4 billion annually. But a breakthrough in satellite-based leak detection is changing the game, delivering unprecedented savings and operational efficiency.
The Need for New, Innovative Solutions
Conventional leak detection relies on ground-based acoustic sensors, visual inspections, and reactive maintenance, methods that often identify leaks only after significant damage and water loss occurs. These approaches are labor-intensive, disruptive, and fail to detect non-surfacing leaks that silently compound into major losses.
Today, water systems lose 15–20% of treated water through distribution leaks, wasting not only water but also energy, treatment chemicals, and the time and efforts of utility staff.
A Paradigm Shift: L-Band Satellite Technology
L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology represents a paradigm shift in leak detection technology. ASTERRA’s patented solution utilizes satellite-mounted sensors that can penetrate ground surfaces up to 10 feet to detect the unique dielectric signature of potable water leaks underground. Unlike traditional methods, L-band technology operates effectively day or night, regardless of weather conditions or ground cover to remotely scan entire utility systems from space.
The satellite image is then put through proprietary algorithms that differentiate between subsurface moisture to focus specifically on the dielectric signature of potable water leaks, differentiating from groundwater, precipitation, and other kinds of surrounding water.
The result is a geographic information system–based map showing points of interest (POIs) that reveal potable water underground. This map is then used to direct field inspection teams to confirm and pinpoint the exact leak location, enabling crews to prioritize repairs efficiently. Rather than relying on an unguided approach, this process proactively identifies leaks and prioritizes the efforts of field inspection crews, enabling targeted repair efforts. Because the crew is only investigating areas where ASTERRA has identified a leak, their efficiency goes up by 3-4 times.
Proven Success Stories
Real-world implementations demonstrate the transformative impact of satellite-based leak detection on utility operations. New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) in Texas, for example, contracted ASTERRA to provide a satellite-guided water leak detection program which resulted in identifying and eliminating 1,879 gallons per minute of real water loss for a total of 994 million gallons of potable water over four years.
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department (SBMWD) in California is another compelling case study, resulting in 324 leaks found over an 18-month period with an average of 7.3 leaks per mile found and 5.2 leaks found per crew day, ultimately enabling SBMWD to slash its real water loss rate from 49.8 GPCD to 17.9 GPCD, or by 64%.
Finally, Madison Suburban Utility District (MSUD) in Tennessee used ASTERRA to enhance its traditional field inspection efforts. Over 3 years, the program achieved a 94% increase in leaks detected per day and a 607% increase in leaks found per mile compared to previous averages, enabling MSUD to slash their non-revenue water loss nearly in half, from 45% to 23%.
Economic Impact
The financial benefits of satellite-based leak detection extend far beyond water savings. Municipal utilities experience multiple layers of cost reduction including decreased water production costs, reduced energy consumption for pumping and treatment, minimized emergency repair expenses, and optimized operations.
Traditional leak detection often demands crews spending weeks or even months on labor-intensive, trial-and-error acoustic surveys. In contrast, satellite technology eliminates this inefficiency by pinpointing leak locations before crews are dispatched, dramatically reducing search time, minimizing disruption, and saving operational costs. Using satellite-guided leak detection, field crew efficiency can increase by up to 400%.
Future Implications for Water Management
As water scarcity intensifies and infrastructure ages, satellite-based leak detection represents not just an operational improvement but a fundamental necessity for sustainable water management. This technology empowers utilities to make data-driven decisions, safeguard public resources, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility to ratepayers.
The evidence is clear: satellite-based leak detection technology offers utilities a proven pathway to substantial cost savings, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship. As technology continues to evolve and expand globally, early adopters position themselves at the forefront of modern water utility management, realizing immediate financial benefits while building resilient, sustainable systems for generations to come.