Thames Water using satellites and AI to find leaks
Key Points
- Thames Water is fixing over 1,000 leaks a week, with leakage down more than 15% since 2019/20.
- Acoustic sensors across the network have risen from 21,000 in 2025 to over 75,000.
- A 19-week satellite trial with Origin Orbit identified more than 800 leaks.
- The trial saved an estimated 8.7 million litres of water a day.
- July 2026 was England's driest July in 190 years, according to the Met Office.
Thames Water is fixing more than 1,000 leaks a week and has cut leakage across its network by over 15% since 2019/20.
The company is leaning on artificial intelligence, satellite data and tens of thousands of acoustic sensors to find and fix leaks faster as drought conditions and temporary use restrictions squeeze water resources across its region.
July 2026 was the driest July in England since records began 190 years ago, according to the Met Office. Long dry spells cause the ground to shrink and move, which puts extra pressure on underground pipes and raises the risk of leaks and bursts. In July, Thames Water found 88% more leaks than in July 2025.
Many leaks happen underground and stay hidden until the damage becomes significant. The UK’s biggest water company now has more than 75,000 acoustic sensors across its network, up from 21,000 in 2025 – an increase of over 257%. The technology has nearly doubled leak detection accuracy, the group said.
Acoustic sensors listen for the distinctive sound pressurised water makes as it escapes from a pipe. That sound travels hundreds of metres through soil and pipe, which lets engineers pinpoint hidden leaks before they become visible or disruptive.
Thames Water also runs an AI-driven leak detection system that reads satellite data. The company partners with Origin Orbit to spot ground anomalies that indicate underground water leaks. Satellites capture moisture changes, temperature differences and soil disturbances that the human eye cannot see. During an initial 19-week trial, Origin Orbit helped Thames Water identify over 800 leaks and save an estimated 8.7 million litres of water a day — enough to fill more than three Olympic-sized swimming pools daily.
“Finding and fixing leaks quickly is one of the most important ways we can protect water supplies during prolonged dry weather, alongside asking customers to continue following temporary use restrictions,” said Shane Gloster, Head of Leakage at Thames Water.
“A huge proportion of our leaks are never seen by customers, as they are underground and hard to find. To repair these as quickly as we can, it is vital that we use the latest innovative technology available.”
“Deploying a combination of advanced technologies gives a faster and more accurate indication of where the network has issues, enabling us to work more efficiently in our pursuit of bringing down water loss,” Gloster added.
The detection work sits alongside the company’s wider pipe replacement programme. Thames Water recently passed 100km of mains pipes replaced since 2025, against a target of 550km by 2030, as part of what it calls the biggest upgrade to its network in 150 years.
“The effects of population growth and climate change are putting increased pressure on Thames Water’s ageing water pipes,” said Mark Taylor, Director of Delivery for London Infrastructure at Thames Water.
“We are currently carrying out the biggest upgrade to our infrastructure in 150 years, and this work will deliver real benefits for customers – reducing bursts, cutting water loss and helping to lessen disruption from ongoing repairs and maintenance.”
Temporary use restrictions remain in place across the region.
