Across the United States, a crisis flows underground. With two million miles of aging and often leaking pipes, the country’s water infrastructure is facing unprecedented strain. For municipal water managers, the daily reality involves a constant battle against main breaks, non-revenue water (NRW) loss and the ever-present challenge of prioritizing repairs with limited budgets. The consequences are significant, from service disruptions and costly emergency repairs to the loss of billions of gallons of treated water.
The traditional approach to water infrastructure management has been largely reactive. A pipe breaks, crews are dispatched, the leak is located — an often long and tricky process with current methods — and the problem is eventually fixed. It’s a costly cycle that leaves little room for strategic upgrades. The current process is unsustainable as most of America’s water infrastructure was installed after World War II and is reaching the end of its 75-year lifespan. The question for water managers is no longer if a pipe will fail, but when and where.
The scale of water loss is staggering. The U.S. loses an estimated two trillion gallons of treated water annually, representing a financial loss of around $8 billion. These are not just abstract figures; they translate into tangible operational burdens and budgetary pressures for municipalities. Every gallon lost is a gallon that was sourced and treated at a significant cost, only to seep into the ground.
Harnessing AI for Proactive Management
Moving from a reactive to a proactive strategy requires a fundamental shift in how water networks are monitored and managed. It demands the ability to make the invisible visible. This is where advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are creating new possibilities for smarter asset management.
Solutions like Oldcastle Infrastructure’s CivilSense™ integrate cutting-edge AI to offer a dual approach: real-time leak detection and predictive risk analysis. It uses sophisticated machine learning models to analyze vast datasets, including pipe material, age, system pressure and historical failure data. This comprehensive analysis allows the system to assess the condition of individual pipes and forecast their likelihood of failure with remarkable accuracy.
By combining the probability of a break with the potential consequences, the platform generates a clear measure of business risk. This intelligence empowers utilities to move beyond emergency responses. Instead, they can make data-driven decisions to prioritize repairs, optimize capital spending and extend the life of their existing assets. With market-leading 93% accuracy in real-time leak detection, this technology offers a powerful way to reduce unplanned outages and minimize water loss.
Quantifying the Financial Drain of Water Loss
Understanding the true financial impact of these invisible leaks is the first step toward building a case for proactive investment. Tools like the CivilSense™ ROI Calculator are helping to bridge this informational gap. By inputting system parameters such as network length and production costs, water managers can generate clear financial insights.
The calculator transforms complex operational data into concrete dollar amounts. It estimates annual NRW losses in gallons and dollars, likelihood of future water main breaks and economic and budgetary impacts. This data-driven approach provides the documentation needed to justify infrastructure investments to stakeholders and secure funding.
The Future of Sustainable Water Systems
The challenges facing municipal water managers are formidable. Intensifying weather patterns, population shifts and tightening budgets add layers of complexity to the core problem of aging infrastructure. However, the emergence of predictive analytics provides a clear path forward.
By leveraging AI-powered insights, utilities can finally gain control over their underground assets before a crisis occurs. This proactive stance not only prevents costly line breaks and reduces non-revenue water but also supports more strategic, long-term planning for system upgrades. Investing in smarter water management is no longer just a necessity — it's an economic imperative. For leaders tasked with ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our water systems, these innovative tools offer the visibility and foresight needed to build a more secure water future.
About Michael Casey
Michael Casey is a seasoned account executive with extensive experience in AI/ML solutions for the water industry. Michael is currently focused on solving water loss issues with next generation IoT sensors and advanced analytics to predict and prevent catastrophic main breaks and service disruptions.
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.
