Savings of up to 100,000 euros in a single zone—thanks to early leak detection
A case study from Stadtwerke Witten demonstrates how modern network monitoring directly impacts costs, efficiency, and water losses.
Successful Leak Detection in Practice—Witten Municipal Utilities Significantly Reduce Water Losses
How a utility company uses data loggers to detect damage more quickly, reduce water loss, and streamline processes.
Stadtwerke Witten faced a common challenge in its drinking water network: Leaks were often detected too late, locating them was time-consuming, and minor damage frequently went undetected for long periods.
The use of modern data logging technology has fundamentally transformed this process. Today, anomalies are detected early and pinpointed with measurable success.
Products in Use
The Initial Situation at Stadtwerke Witten
As in many utility networks, a large portion of leak detection in Witten was based on traditional methods. Anomalies in the control system did not always lead directly to a clear pinpointing of the leak. Instead, listening teams had to be dispatched to the affected areas to manually inspect the network.
This approach was not only time-consuming but also inefficient. Large areas were inspected without knowing exactly where the damage was located. So-called “unmeasurable” damage was particularly problematic. This damage occurred in areas without zone monitoring and often remained undetected until water began to leak visibly or a routine inspection was conducted.
The Use of Loggers in the Network
To increase transparency in the network and be able to respond more quickly to anomalies, Stadtwerke Witten decided to use loggers for continuous monitoring.
The systems continuously monitor changes in the network and provide specific indications of potential damage. This transforms leak detection from a comprehensive, time-consuming task into a targeted measure.
Surveillance teams are no longer deployed based on suspicion alone, but are directed straight to the location in question. This significantly reduces search times while also increasing the success rate.
Economic Benefits at a Glance
The documented damage claims from Stadtwerke Witten show that the use of data loggers also pays off significantly from an economic standpoint. With an average water loss of about 7 m³ per hour and early detection, each leak results in a savings of about 1,176 m³ of water. Based on a drinking water price of 1.60 to 2.59 euros per cubic meter, this corresponds to an economic benefit of approximately 1,882 to 3,046 euros per leak.
Across all 17 documented cases, this results in a total water savings of approximately 20,000 m³. This corresponds to a monetary benefit of approximately 31,987 to 51,779 euros for drinking water alone. In the case of larger, late-detected damage, the potential savings can be significantly higher. In one documented individual case, this results in a potential benefit of approximately 69,120 to 111,888 euros.
Facts & Figures
0 m³
Savings per claim
up to 0 €
Savings per claim
approx. 0 m³
Savings in 17 cases
approx. 0 €
Savings
up to 0 €
A loss is possible in the event of a single major claim
just ~ 0 min
instead of 6–7 days until detection
What Has Changed in Everyday Life
For Stadtwerke Witten, the use of these loggers represents a significant change in day-to-day operations. Decisions can be made more quickly, service calls are planned more effectively, and transparency within the network has increased significantly.
Teams no longer have to search extensively; instead, they work precisely and based on data. This saves time, reduces costs—in this case, up to 100,000 euros—and improves efficiency throughout the entire process.
A true test of real-world effectiveness
The experience of Stadtwerke Witten demonstrates just how significant the impact of modern logging technology can be on leak detection. A reactive process is transformed into a proactive strategy.
Damage is detected earlier, repaired more quickly, and results in significantly lower losses. At the same time, overall operational efficiency improves.