Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management

Global Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management Market to Reach US$1.8 Billion by 2030

The global market for Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management estimated at US$1.1 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$1.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Non-Invasive Technology, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 6.8% CAGR and reach US$1.0 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Invasive Technology segment is estimated at 10.0% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$307.0 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 12.4% CAGR

The Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management market in the U.S. is estimated at US$307.0 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$381.1 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 12.4% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% and 7.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 5.4% CAGR.

Global Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Smart Leak Management Becoming Vital for Reducing Non-Revenue Water?
Non-Revenue Water (NRW)-water that has been produced but is lost before reaching the customer-represents a critical challenge for water utilities worldwide. These losses, which include physical leakage, meter inaccuracies, and unauthorized consumption, can exceed 30% of total water supply in many regions. With urban populations expanding and water scarcity intensifying, utilities are under increasing pressure to reduce NRW levels to ensure resource sustainability, improve service quality, and recover revenue losses.

Smart leak management systems offer a proactive solution by leveraging real-time sensing, data analytics, and automated alerts to identify and mitigate leakages across water distribution networks. These systems detect both visible and non-visible leaks through technologies such as acoustic sensors, pressure loggers, satellite imaging, and IoT-enabled flow meters. By facilitating early leak detection and prioritizing repair schedules, smart solutions help utilities reduce water losses, optimize operational expenditure, and extend the life of aging infrastructure.

How Are Emerging Technologies Reshaping NRW Monitoring and Response Strategies?
The deployment of smart technologies is redefining how water networks are managed. Acoustic monitoring systems, both mobile and fixed, can detect sound frequencies emitted by underground leaks and pinpoint locations with high accuracy. Coupled with GIS (Geographic Information Systems), utilities can visualize leak-prone zones and create digital twins of their pipeline infrastructure for scenario simulation and predictive maintenance.

IoT-enabled sensors installed on pipes continuously monitor parameters such as pressure, flow velocity, and vibration. When anomalies are detected, the data is transmitted via low-power WANs or cellular networks to cloud-based platforms where AI and machine learning algorithms analyze patterns and classify potential leak events. These intelligent platforms reduce false positives, optimize repair dispatches, and enable condition-based asset management rather than reactive maintenance.

Satellite-based remote sensing, thermal imaging, and drone-based inspections are also gaining traction, especially in regions where underground infrastructure is poorly mapped. Integrated with smart analytics dashboards, these technologies offer a comprehensive NRW reduction strategy by combining macro-scale monitoring with micro-level fault detection. Together, these tools allow utilities to benchmark performance, comply with regulatory standards, and demonstrate ESG accountability.

Which Utilities and Geographies Are Leading Adoption of Smart NRW Solutions?
Municipal water utilities in high-income countries-such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Singapore-are leading in the adoption of smart leak management systems. These utilities benefit from strong funding channels, digitization mandates, and stringent regulatory compliance frameworks that prioritize water conservation. Many have moved from manual survey-based leak detection to fully integrated smart platforms as part of their broader smart city and utility transformation agendas.

In developing economies across Latin America, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where NRW levels often exceed 40%, smart leak management is gaining momentum through donor-funded infrastructure programs and public-private partnerships. The World Bank, USAID, and the Asian Development Bank have launched numerous initiatives to modernize water utilities by embedding smart leakage control technologies. National-level programs in countries like India (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and South Africa are providing policy impetus for digitized water governance.

Private sector participation is also growing. Utilities operating under performance-based contracts or concession agreements are adopting smart technologies to meet NRW reduction targets efficiently and transparently. Technology providers are offering flexible pricing models, including leasing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), to accelerate adoption even in financially constrained markets.

What Is Fueling Growth in the Global NRW Smart Leak Management Market?
The growth in the global non-revenue water (NRW) smart leak management market is driven by several factors, including rising global water stress, aging infrastructure, and increased investment in utility digitization. As urban centers face mounting pressure to ensure water security, the economic imperative to reduce wastage is converging with technological readiness. Advanced sensing and data analytics capabilities are enabling utilities to implement precision leak detection and shift from reactive to proactive infrastructure management.

Regulatory frameworks that mandate water audit reporting, leakage thresholds, and ESG disclosures are also pushing utilities to modernize. Many governments are incorporating NRW reduction targets in national water policies, offering funding or incentives for technology deployment. In parallel, consumer demand for accountability and service continuity is pressuring utilities to deliver measurable improvements, making smart leak management a strategic investment rather than a discretionary spend.

Finally, the cost-benefit profile of smart solutions has improved significantly. The falling cost of sensors, increased availability of cloud platforms, and the scalability of AI-based analytics are making smart leak detection more affordable and operationally viable. As climate resilience becomes integral to urban planning, smart NRW solutions will play a foundational role in water sustainability, revenue recovery, and long-term infrastructure integrity.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Smart Leak Management market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Leak Detection Technologies (Non-Invasive Technology, Invasive Technology); Solution (Software & Data Analytics Platform Solution, Leak Detection Services Solution)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 48 Featured) -

• Aqua Analytics
• Aquarius Spectrum
• Badger Meter
• Bentley Systems
• Diehl Metering
• Electro Scan Inc.
• Enware Australia Pty Ltd
• Gutermann AG
• Honeywell (Elster Group)
• i2O Water Ltd.
• Kamstrup A/S
• Landis+Gyr
• Leviat (formerly Primayer)
• Mueller Water Products
• NEC Corporation
• Ovarro Ltd
• Pure Technologies (Xylem Inc.)
• Sensus (Xylem brand)
• TaKaDu Ltd
• Trimble Water

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