Water Pipeline Leak Detection Systems Market

Market Overview

The global water pipeline leak detection systems market size was valued at USD 1,620.3 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 3004.01 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.10% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

It is possible to pinpoint the precise position of water leaks above or below ground pipes using water pipeline leak detection systems. In addition to wasting treated water, direct water loss through leaks also wastes the energy and money needed for water delivery and treatment. Additionally, there are two primary types of water pipeline leak detection systems, which are acoustic and non-acoustic. Acoustic leak detectors are the most prevalent type of leak detector because of how easy it is to operate them. Non-acoustic leak detection systems are less common. Periodic leak detection audits are also performed to gather leakage data, which makes it simple to locate and isolate troublesome water conveyance system regions.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Increasing Scarcity of Water

The usable water required to maintain the growing population is in low supply, which is a significant concern worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that this is primarily caused by institutions' failure to supply a consistent supply of water or by a lack of adequate infrastructure. As of 2018, the United Nations (UN) presented statistics showing that more than 2 billion people live in nations with high water stress. Installation of suitable water pipeline leak detection systems helps identify leaks in installed water pipes, preventing water loss through cracks and holes. As a result, the market for water pipeline leak detection systems is driven by the growing need for water waste reduction strategies.

Moreover, global warming and population increase are making a more significant impact on the water shortage. Water must be safely conserved and used to address this. Installation of suitable water pipeline leak detection systems helps identify leaks in installed water pipes, preventing water loss through cracks and holes.

Aging Water Infrastructure

The extensive water infrastructure in industrialized nations like the US, the UK, and others was created around 1970. However, as time goes on, this water infrastructure ages, leading to issues including pipe corrosion, breakage, crack formation, and others. Water pipeline leak detection systems are installed to help locate leaks in these deteriorating water transit pipelines and prevent the loss of clean and treated water. As a result, the need for sophisticated leak detection systems is growing due to the water infrastructure's aging, which is fueling the market for these systems.

Market Restraining Factors

Lack of Awareness in Developing Countries

Leaks in water pipelines are a significant issue in developed countries like the United States and other places with sophisticated water transportation systems. However, the ineffective water transportation systems, water shortages, and a lack of pipeline leak protection and detection funding lead to significant water loss in developing nations. Non-revenue water (NRW), a term used to describe municipal water lost during pipeline transportation, is primarily brought on by leaks, evaporation, inaccurate metering, theft, and inadequate data collection. Approximately 34% of water worldwide is thought to become NRW, with regional problems, according to data from the International Energy Agency published in 2019.

Key Market Opportunities

Latest Developments in Pipeline Leak Detection Systems

In recent years, significant technological advancements have been made to pipeline leak detection systems. These advancements have been made possible by implementing computerized systems and digital survey methodologies. The efficiency of conventional acoustic detection sensors has grown due to more effective sound detection features. Similarly, extended real-time transient model (E-RTTM) technology has proven helpful for pipeline safety, monitoring, and detection.

In order to gather the essential data from the collected sensor data, it uses pattern recognition and powerful computing technology, which increases the E-reliability RTTM's and reduces the likelihood of false alarms. During the anticipated time, the introduction and use of such cutting-edge technologies are expected to produce great growth prospects for the water pipeline leak detection systems market.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global water pipeline leak detection systems market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global water pipeline leak detection systems market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are the three primary nations covered in the study for the North American water pipeline leak detection systems market. The market share for water pipeline leak-detecting systems in North America in 2019 was the highest globally at 37.4%. Both the United States and Canada have sophisticated water transportation systems. In 2016, the Canadian government held about 185,000 kilometers of water pipelines for the transportation of potable and non-potable water, according to Statistic Canada's 2018 report. About one-tenth of these assets received a rating of either low or extremely poor due to their state.

Europe is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 6.0%, generating USD 717.55 million during the forecast period. The highly complex infrastructure used to transport water in Europe is deteriorating due to pipeline aging. It has been challenging to reinstall water pipelines beneath congested streets and roads due to the low pace of renovation, population increase, and rapid urbanization. Many European governments are concentrating on offering different leak detection industry solutions to address the issue of water loss through pipelines. For instance, the WADI airborne water leak detection surveillance service project has received funding from the European Union as a component of the Horizon 2020 program for research.

There are a lot of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region that are still in the process of building their water transportation infrastructure. Many villages in countries like India, China, and others still lack adequate water pipelines for drinking and irrigation needs. These nations must concentrate on reducing water leaks and wastage. Furthermore, the high population density in many Asian cities makes it challenging for the government to provide enough water for the populace. Water theft is common in these situations. Nevertheless, these elements are expected to offer the water pipeline leak detection systems market significant prospects during the anticipated era.

The Middle East and Central Africa are often affected by extreme droughts and water scarcity, mainly attributable to the meteorological conditions in the region. In these nations, water management is crucial to ensuring enough water for the local people. According to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), leaks account for around 11% of the total water lost in Dubai.

Segmental Analysis

The global water pipeline leak detection systems market is segmented by location, equipment type, pipe material, and end-user.

Based on location, the global water pipeline leak detection systems market is bifurcated into underground and overground.

The underground segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. Acoustic leak detection is the primary operating principle of underground leak detection systems, which makes them better suited to finding leak locations underground. Metal and non-metal pipe materials can be employed with underground water leak detectors for both paved and unpaved terrain. These non-destructive systems can inspect up to 6-7 meters deep using ultrasonic sensors. When better sensors are used, it is possible to extend the depth. For subterranean metallic and non-metallic pipes, the Russian business STC Techno-AC LLC sells the "Success AT-407N" water leak detector. The apparatus allows leak detection at underground depths of up to 6 meters and can be applied over pavements, walls, floors, and other surfaces. The signal is graphically visualized on the LCD as well. Such goods fuel the market's expansion by driving demand for water pipeline leak detection systems for underground applications.

Several techniques are used for over-the-ground leak detection, including tracer gas, noise loggers, and visual detection by human or unmanned aerial vehicles. The tracer gas method offers high sensitivity, precision, and repeatability outcomes, making it very useful. However, a visual detection method may be appropriate for pipe breaches in open areas. Using both manned and unmanned vehicles for optical detection in remote locations is possible. The market for water pipeline leak detection systems is growing due to the availability of numerous overground pipeline leak detection methods, including optical detection, tracer gas, and others.

Based on equipment type, the global water pipeline leak detection systems market is bifurcated into acoustic and non-acoustic.

The acoustic segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.55% during the forecast period. The most common use for acoustic leak detection devices is to search for leaks in pipes underground because of the excellent sound sensitivity of these instruments. Acoustic detectors are made of a microphone that records the sound from water pouring through the pipeline hole and transmits it to headphones. To increase the efficiency of the leak detection process, the key players in the sector are also creating new, more sensitive acoustic leak detection solutions. For instance, the advanced acoustic leak detecting system LeakFinder-ST is offered by Mueller Water Products, Inc., a U.S.-based company under the brand name Echologics.

When a pipeline contains numerous bends or turns that make acoustic devices challenging, non-acoustic leak detection technologies are typically used. The tracer gas leak detection technique can be pretty effective in specific environments. Industrial hydrogen gas, composed of 93% nitrogen and 7% hydrogen, is used as a tracer gas in concrete, PVC, and other non-metallic pipes when acoustic systems are complex and inefficient.

Based on the pipe material, the global water pipeline leak detection systems market is bifurcated into metallic and non-metallic.

The metallic segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.90% during the forecast period. Due to their strength and durability compared to previously available pipe materials, metallic pipes have traditionally been utilized to transport water. Pipes made of cast iron and steel were utilized in the construction of most water transition systems because they could sustain high water pressures. However, their fading popularity results from their hefty weight and corrosivity. Additionally, most copper pipes were used to build older, deteriorating water conveyance systems.

According to research released in 2020 by Stanford University, situated in California, United States, it is essential to find leaks in the outdated water infrastructure. In North America, leaks in old pipelines are thought to waste 20% to 50% of the water that could be used. Determining water pipeline leaks in metallic pipes is, therefore, necessary, driving the market's expansion.

Due to their non-corrosive character, non-metallic pipes made of cement concrete and plasticized PVC are very effective in transporting water. Non-metallic pipes are much more difficult to detect leaks because they vibrate more loudly than metallic ones. Products for acoustic leak detection in non-metallic pipes are provided by major participants in the water pipeline leak detection systems market, including Mueller Water Technologies, Xylem Inc., Gutermann AG, and others.

Based on the end-user, the global water pipeline leak detection systems market is bifurcated into residential and non-residential.

The non-residential segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Due to the considerable water loss and money lost due to water leaks in these systems, water leak detection systems are highly demanded in municipal water infrastructure applications. Additionally, it is anticipated that water leaks in commercial and industrial structures would result in dangerous mishaps that put both people and the building's machinery in danger. The French company T.T.K. S.A.S. provides water leak detection services in sensitive locations, including data centers, banking transmission networks, semiconductor factories, and others. It offers digital leak detection systems with a network of sensing cables and a digital unit.

Residential water leaks can seriously harm a home's basement and foundation. Accidents are most likely to occur in domestic systems because leaks in hot conveyance lines waste water and electricity. Smart water leak detectors are now available for domestic use, though, as home automation gains popularity. Smart water leak detectors continuously track the water flow through pipes and look for unusual activity. The mechanism shuts water flow off the house by closing the inlet valve if a leak is found.

Recent Developments

• May 2022- Ovarro Limited introduced the Eureka5, an updated leak noise logger. At the touch of a button, the Eureka5 can improve the precision of the location of a detected leak. One important factor in determining the location of a leak is the speed of sound inside the pipe.
• March 2022- According to Ben Crabtree, the product line manager of Control Point at Ovarro, although the UK water sector is made tremendous strides in decreasing leakage, a data-led strategy on the flange and joint assemblies, along with worker training, can still provide significant advantages.