Cities across the U.S. are preparing for high-profile sporting events in 2026 that range from world-class soccer to college football playoffs. Eleven cities will host dozens of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and qualifiers leading up to the events. Fifteen matches will be held in the Dallas and Houston areas alone.

In Los Angeles, the 2028 Olympics are expected to generate an economic impact estimated between $11 billion and $18 billion. The head of the LA games organizing committee compared the city’s event to the equivalent of hosting seven Super Bowls a day for 30 consecutive days.

Municipalities and surrounding areas are spending millions — in some cases, billions — to upgrade and spruce up for a turn on the national and international stage. Yet beyond public transit, landscaping, security and road repairs lurks a harsh reality: aging water infrastructure.

It’s easy to take water for granted – until something goes wrong.

America’s two million miles of aging water mains — most installed in a post–World War II building boom — are now well beyond their 75-year design life. Every year:

• Nearly two trillion gallons of treated water vanish through leaky pipes.
• Water mains break roughly every two minutes, totaling about 260,000 failures, enough to fill 9,000 Olympic pools daily.
• Utilities spend $2.6 billion in emergency repairs alone, not counting lost revenue or the downstream economic impact on homes, businesses, and critical facilities.

As water systems become overwhelmed or break down, municipal water management leaders wrestle with where to start as they confront aging infrastructure destined to cause significant problems in the near future. To make matters worse, these underground assets remain invisible until failures surface – often when it’s too late.

With aging infrastructure failing at an increasing rate, cities need smarter solutions. CivilSense™, from Oldcastle Infrastructure, provides a data-driven approach to sustainable water management that leverages cutting-edge technologies backed by more than 60 years of expertise and experience. Water management leaders now have a choice that pushes asset management far beyond the options that existed even as recently as last year.

CivilSense™ is a next-generation water asset management platform designed to identify and address risks in water infrastructure before they escalate into costly failures. It leverages AI trained on more than 2.3 million data points, delivering unmatched accuracy to help repair crews prioritize the most urgent needs.

The system integrates real-time AI analysis with GIS mapping, historical infrastructure records, and climate data to pinpoint high-risk pipeline segments. In these areas, acoustic sensors are then deployed to capture live data, which is validated by field inspectors and analyzed by the AI to enable planners to prioritize repairs based on leak severity and proximity to critical zones such as hospitals, transport hubs or stadiums.

Investing in cutting-edge technology like CivilSense™ allows municipalities to detect problems before they surface, reduce costly emergency repairs, and ensure uninterrupted service for residents and visitors alike.

Every city has a long to-do list, especially when it comes to preparing for millions of visitors. It’s critical to prioritize solutions that deliver the best value for money. Water asset management with CivilSense™ meets this need by providing a low-cost, high-impact approach that strengthens water systems, conserves resources, and demonstrates fiscal responsibility. 

Cities preparing to host the world’s biggest events must address this reality: without reliable water infrastructure, the best-laid plans could fall apart. Try Oldcastle’s ROI Calculator to see how water loss could be affecting your city.

About Keaton Clay

Keaton Clay is a water asset consultant at Oldcastle Infrastructure. He holds certifications from the AWWA in Controlling Non-Revenue Water in Water Utilities and sits on the GAWP Water Loss Committee.

About CivilSense™

Oldcastle Infrastructure’s CivilSense™ is an advanced water infrastructure management platform that leverages artificial intelligence, predictive analysis, and real-time data to proactively detect and address leaks before they escalate into emergencies. With a market-leading accuracy rate of 93%, CivilSense™ enables municipalities to transition from reactive maintenance to strategic, data-driven asset management, effectively reducing water loss and associated costs. By integrating multi-source data—including GIS, infrastructure, and climate insights—CivilSense™ identifies high-risk pipeline segments, allowing for targeted interventions that enhance the resilience and sustainability of water systems. This innovative solution empowers communities to safeguard their water resources, minimize service disruptions, and optimize infrastructure investments.

 About OldCastle Infrastructure

Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH company, is a leading provider of engineered building solutions across North America. With nearly 80 manufacturing facilities and a workforce of over 4,000 employees, the company delivers a comprehensive portfolio of more than 16,000 products, including precast concrete, polymer concrete, and plastic components. These solutions serve critical sectors such as water, energy, communications, and transportation, supporting the development and maintenance of essential infrastructure.

Committed to sustainability and innovation, Oldcastle Infrastructure aligns its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on responsible consumption, climate action, and the advancement of sustainable communities. As part of CRH plc, one of the world's largest building materials companies, Oldcastle Infrastructure combines global resources with local expertise to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern infrastructure projects.