Satellite-Based Leak Detection: Advancing Water Loss Reduction at Scale

This whitepaper explores how AI and advanced satellite technology enables large-scale, subsurface leak detection across entire distribution networks, helping utilities move from reactive repairs to proactive water loss management.
June 17, 2026

Satellite-based, AI-powered leak detection is transforming how utilities address water loss by enabling large-scale identification of hidden, subsurface leaks. In particular, L-band PolSAR technology is allowing utilities to detect leaks up to 10 feet underground across vast distribution networks. This whitepaper explores the technology, its capabilities and limitations, and how it integrates with other leak detection approaches to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support proactive water loss management.