Reducing network leaks has been achieved by increasing field work capabilities, carrying out acoustic testing more often and fixing leaks quicker once they are detected.

By doubling the scale of the leak detection programme, Metrowater actively surveyed 2000km of pipes this year and identified over 1000 leaks of all sizes. At the end of June 2008, over 95% of leaks detected had been successfully repaired.

To reduce the impact on customers, much of the work has been done at night using high tech leak detection equipment. By monitoring water flows and using acoustic tools Metrowater has been able to isolate the underground, and often unseen, leaks so they can be repaired. Leaks are detected by using a microcorr – a digital system used to pinpoint the precise location of a leak in a pipe.

About a quarter of the leaks have been on private property so customers benefit directly from stopping the leakage of water they are paying for.  Metrowater’s leak remission programme rewards customers for promptly fixing leaks found on their property, providing a partial refund. In the past year, over a million dollars was refunded to 1,936 customers, a 24% increase on last year - an average saving per residential customer of over $500.

However the major savings are on repairs to the larger supply pipes on the public network, which will, over time, result in more efficient and sustainable use of existing bulk water supplies and potentially delay the need for investment in future resources.