January 6, 2026

The Hidden Cost of Non-Revenue Water—and How to Stop It

Did you know? Every day in the United States, more than 700 water mains break, contributing to the loss of six billion gallons of processed water.  

For utilities, this isn’t just a technical problem—it’s a financial and environmental crisis. The culprit? Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which refers to water that is produced but never billed due to leaks, breaks, or theft. 

While water theft often grabs headlines—like those in Modesto and Panoche, and as famously fictionalized in 1974’s Chinatown—the reality is that non-surfacing leaks and pipe breaks account for the vast majority of NRW. These leaks occur deep underground—out of sight—and can persist for months or even years before detection. The result: millions of gallons of treated water wasted, higher operational costs, and increased strain on aging infrastructure. 

Why Non-Revenue Water Matters

The impact of NRW extends far beyond lost water. Utilities face: 

• Revenue Loss: Every gallon lost is a gallon that can’t be billed. 

• Escalating Repair Costs: Undetected leaks often lead to catastrophic failures requiring emergency repairs. 

• Environmental Consequences: Wasted water means wasted energy for treatment and pumping, increasing carbon footprints. 

• Community Risk: Infrastructure failures can disrupt service, damage property, and erode public trust. 

The Challenge of Detection

Finding leaks in pipes buried deep underground is notoriously difficult. Traditional methods rely on visual inspections or reactive maintenance—approaches that are slow, costly, and often ineffective. Utilities need a smarter way to identify problems before they escalate. 

The Solution: Predictive Intelligence

This is where CivilSense™ comes in. Developed by Oldcastle Infrastructure in partnership with VODA.ai, CivilSense™ uses advanced machine learning models to transform complex network data into clear, actionable insights. By analyzing factors such as pipe material, installation year, soil conditions, and historical failure data, CivilSense™ predicts which pipes are most likely to fail—and when. 

Combined with real-time acoustic leak detection, CivilSense™ empowers utilities to: 

• Reduce Non-Revenue Water: Identify and repair leaks before they surface. 
• Optimize Repair Investments: Prioritize high-risk assets for proactive maintenance. 
• Extend Asset Life: Make data-driven decisions that prevent costly failures. 

Preventing Failures Before They Happen

Non-Revenue Water is an invisible drain on resources, but it doesn’t have to be. With predictive analytics and real-time detection, utilities can make the invisible visible and move from reactive to proactive asset management—saving water, money, and time. 

Ready to take control of your water network?

• Learn more about CivilSense™ and connect with an expert to learn more.  
• Download a customized NRW Improvement report to share with leadership, perfect for budget reviews and approvals. 
• Download the Product Sheet and discover how our acoustic leak detection technology helps utilities combat water loss, improve asset performance, and prioritize maintenance where it matters most.