Leakage is a persistent structural challenge faced by utilities operators across the UK. While some progress has been made, with infrastructure upgrades in England and Wales causing leakage to drop by 41% since 1989, a shocking 20% of the total water supply is still lost before it reaches the end user. The UK in 2025 has a larger population and different commercial and residential needs than it did in 1989, underlining the importance of effective water leakage management to avoid wasting precious resources and placing immense financial and operational strain on water companies.
The most important weapon in the arsenal of water management professionals is early-stage Active Leakage Control (ALC). By identifying small and seemingly insignificant leaks before they escalate, utilities businesses can prevent major bursts, reduce service disruptions, and protect their infrastructure. Read on to find out more.
What Is Active Leakage Control (ALC)?
ALC is the art and science of fixing known leaks, and of carefully monitoring water network assets to predict and avert potential leaks, through the smart allocation of resources and capital expenditure. Like many problems in life, large-volume water wastage starts at a small scale, often underneath the radar. Effective ALC therefore requires the recognition that small leaks are often indicators of larger problems. Minor leaks can signal critical stress points at important parts of your network, particularly in ageing infrastructure. Addressing these issues promptly will not only save water but also avert more critical failures, while also reducing the risk of environmental contamination from wastewater pipes, and maintaining a positive relationship with customers and regulators.
Why you should always take small leaks seriously
With resources stretched thinly across a large network, it can be tempting to de-prioritise minor leaks. However, time and again, this approach can prove costly. A small drip in a high-pressure trunk main, for instance, can quickly escalate into a major rupture, handing you widespread supply interruptions and an expensive repair bill. And beyond the financial implications, there is also a reputational cost to consider from each leak. Large-scale incidents are quickly shared on social media and through local news outlets, eroding public trust and sometimes attracting regulatory penalties from Ofwat.
Bridging the gap with no-dig leak detection systems
The positive news is that technology is now providing powerful tools to support a more proactive approach to ALC. Modern leak detection systems are changing the way that utilities businesses locate and fix problems on their networks, making solutions more adaptive, more agile, and less labour-intensive.
One of the most promising developments is the rise of no-dig, or ‘trenchless’ repair technologies. Methods such as cured in-place pipe (CIPP) linings allow pipeline repairs without the need for disruptive and costly excavations. The success of these techniques, however, rests on fast and accurate leakage detection. For this, some advanced systems now use acoustic monitoring or negative pressure wave algorithms to pinpoint the exact location of the leak, enabling targeted and minimally invasive repairs.
How to utilise water leakage detection technologies
Integrating modern leak detection systems into your water network is a practical step that every water operator can take to improve its network performance. There are several options available now, providing a multilayered approach to identifying and managing leaks. For example, smart meters give both utilities businesses and their customers real-time insight into water consumption, helping to identify leaks on private properties more quickly. Meanwhile, by analysing data from sensors and meters, it is possible to identify flow patterns and use these to forecast where leaks are most likely to occur, allowing pre-emptive action before a leak develops or escalates.
Next steps
Strengthen your water leakage detection efficiency with expert support from Crowder Consulting. To discuss your options and find out how to get started, please send us a message to discuss your needs, or for immediate advice, call one of our specialists directly on 0151 453 4610.
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