A technology company based in the North East has secured a 13-month contract with Thames Water to tackle concealed water wastage across the utility’s infrastructure.

Origin Tech, which focuses on artificial intelligence and satellite data analysis, will support the water company in locating and cutting water loss throughout its pipe network.

The Origin Orbit system employs satellite imagery alongside machine learning algorithms to identify subterranean leaks within a 30-metre radius, providing a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional detection methods.

Shane Gloster, who oversees leakage operations at Thames Water, explained that numerous leaks remain hidden from customers since they develop underground and pose significant challenges for detection.

Tackling these concealed issues necessitates deploying cutting-edge technological tools.

Partnering with Origin Tech and leveraging their satellite information to pinpoint leaks delivers swifter and more accurate intelligence regarding network problems, enabling more efficient operations as efforts continue to minimise water loss.

The partnership, which began in March, follows a successful 18-week pilot programme that identified over 800 leaks, saving roughly 8.7 million litres of water daily.

Thames Water has become the first water company to integrate Origin Orbit technology fully into routine leakage management procedures.

Established in 2019, Origin Tech presently works with 12 UK water companies, helping to prevent more than three billion litres of water from being lost through leakage nationwide.

John Marsden, co-founder of Origin Tech, noted that with a fifth of all water in the UK disappearing through leakage each year, the demand for inventive solutions is evident.