Southern Water trials fiber-optic leak detection on Openreach network

UK utility Southern Water is trialing Lightsonic technology that turns Openreach fiber-optic cables into underground leak sensors. The system analyzes tiny changes in light to detect vibrations from leaks, using machine learning to filter out traffic and roadworks noise. Lightsonic says the tech already saves over 4 million liters of water per day across 650 km of UK network.

• Trial covers Southern Water networks in Hampshire, Sussex and Kent
• Lightsonic claims 4 million liters of water saved daily across 650 km
• Openreach and Affinity Water tested the system in March
• Goal is to meet Ofwat leakage targets for 2030