New Mexico’s Innovative Water Leak Detection Solution
Aging Systems Are Losing Treated Water
Drinking water systems in New Mexico are losing an average of 40–70 percent of the water they treat due
to breaks and leaks in aging infrastructure, such as underground distribution pipes. These leaks waste water, waste money, and can sometimes leave customers without reliable water service.
For example, in summer 2022, the Village of Chama experienced a multi-week leak that resulted in a systemwide outage during the peak summer tourism season. Contractors used new spatial technology – aerial flyovers and satellite data – to locate the source of the leaks
Supporting the 50-Year Water Action Plan
Hydro Delta is part of a broader initiative: New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 50-Year Water Action Plan. This plan lays out a roadmap for providing sustainable clean water to communities through strategic investments, advanced technology, and broad collaboration. Key components of the plan include reducing leaks in drinking water infrastructure and enhancing water conservation.
What is the Hydro Delta Initiative?
- Hydro Delta is a new tool that uses satellite images, including thermal and infrared data, to monitor water systems in real time.
- It is a collaboration between the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), Google Cloud/Google Earth Engine, and Woolpert Digital Innovations.
- By expanding leak detection efforts across the entire state, Hydro Delta could save more than $153 million for local water utilities and ratepayers.
- Residents will also be able to report leaks through a Hydro Delta app, enhancing the project’s efficiency and reducing response times.
How the Hydro Delta Technology Works
Multi-Dimensional Satellite Imaging
- Hydro Delta collects satellite images, including thermal and infrared data.
- Hydro Delta uses the Google Earth platform for comprehensive geospatial analysis.
Algorithmic Analysis
- Hydro Delta analyzes images over time to detect substantial changes in temperature and moisture.
- The algorithm isolates and reports the most significant changes to the operator for further investigation.
Continuous Monitoring
- Hydro Delta analyzes new images continuously to identify anomalies that might indicate water leaks.
Field Verification
- Once potential water leaks are identified, inspectors can be dispatched to the field to verify and address the leaks.
Future Resident Involvement
- Residents will be able to upload information about observed leaks directly through an app.
- This crowdsourcing feature will allow for quicker identification and resolution of water leaks.
The Path to Implementation
Phase 1: 2023-2024
- May 2023 Project Exploration: The Hydro Delta team explored leveraging satellite technology to detect water leaks. This phase involved gathering and analyzing potential data sources.
- April 2024 Project Kickoff: The official launch of Hydro Delta focused on developing analytical tools using four sets of publicly available satellite data to provide real-time insights into water leaks.
- April–August 2024 Development: The Hydro Delta team continued to develop, create, and refine tools for analyzing satellite data to detect and address water leaks across the state.
- September 2024 Validation of Leak Detection: The Hydro Delta team is validating the tool’s capability to identify known water leaks using satellite imagery.
Phase 2: 2024-2025
The Hydro Delta team will add more data sources, generate detailed reports and alerts, and refine the User Dashboard. NMED staff will begin field verification to ensure the accuracy and reliability of satellite-based detections.
Phase 3: Ongoing
The Hydro Delta team will continue to refine the platform, incorporating feedback from residents through the Hydro Delta app to improve usability and enhance system effectiveness.
Benefits Spotlight
Save Water
Fixing leaks reduces the need to extract water from reservoirs and aquifers, which preserves natural water sources.
Save Energy
It takes energy to treat water to meet drinking water standards. Reducing the amount of water that has to be treated means less energy used—and less of the air pollution that comes from producing that energy.
Keep Water in the Environment
Reducing the need to withdraw water from reservoirs and aquifers helps maintain water for ecosystems and other uses.
Save Money
Decreasing the need to pump and treat substantial amounts of water and identifying leaks immediately will lower operational and repair costs for state and local agencies.
Enhance Health and Safety
Consistent and reliable water flow will support fire protection, health and safety at home, and critical industries such as food service and healthcare.
Hydro Delta shows the benefits of working together:
Partnering with Local Utilities
Hydro Delta has led to collaboration with partners to achieve water security goals. Notable projects include the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project and the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority project.
Embracing Private Sector Innovation
NMED teamed with Woolpert Digital Innovations and Google to design Hydro Delta and bring it to life. Innovation will continue as future versions incorporate artificial intelligence to categorize anomalies and provide more detailed descriptions to utility operators
Providing Funding for Implementation
Once Hydro Delta identifies leaks, state and federal resources are available to help utilities repair them. The New Mexico Legislature allocated $179 million for water infrastructure projects, and the U.S. EPA has provided additional money through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The New Mexico Finance Authority has up to an estimated $230 million available for water systems through grants and low-interest loans.
“Our water challenges in New Mexico are complex with many important pieces to the puzzle as outlined in the 50-Year Water Action Plan. This project harnesses the latest technological advances with satellite imagery and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning so we can not only save water but also save money. This is an opportunity to lead the way for water conservation, applying available funding to the identified specific infrastructure.”
– Thoughts on Hydro Delta from James Kenney,
Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Environment Department
The future of water management in New Mexico will involve a combination of cultural knowledge, advanced technology, and modern policy approaches. Hydro Delta is part of building a resilient water future that supports clean energy, agriculture, and community growth. As Hydro Delta and the implementation actions laid out in the 50-Year Water Plan come to life, residents across New Mexico will enjoy a steady supply of clean, reliable, affordable water.