Stop Water Waste and Property Damage Before They Start: A Guide to Leak Detection and Monitoring Devices

By Ron Burke, President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency

As the cost of water services continues to rise and drought places increasing pressure on water supplies across North America, homeowners, property managers, businesses, and communities are looking for practical ways to conserve water. Fortunately, a growing range of leak detection and water monitoring devices can help reduce water waste while protecting homes and buildings from costly water damage caused by leaks in faucets, toilets, irrigation systems, and pipes. Many of these devices can also identify unusually highwater use, such as long showers or irrigation systems left on longer than intended.

Household leaks are one of the largest sources of water waste. A faucet that drips just once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year—roughly the amount of water used for 180 showers. Even small irrigation leaks can have an even greater impact. A leak just 1/32 of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste approximately 6,300 gallons of water every month.¹

Water leaks also pose a significant financial risk. According to Travelers Insurance, water damage unrelated to weather—primarily from plumbing leaks—is the leading cause of property damage claims among its customers.²

Leaks can result from aging pipes, worn plumbing fixtures, corrosion, freezing temperatures, fluctuating water pressure, equipment failures, or improper installation of plumbing fixtures and appliances.

How Smart Water Technology Works

Leak detection and water monitoring devices generally use one or both of the following technologies:

Moisture detection, which senses unexpected water where it shouldn't be and alerts the property owner.
Flow monitoring, which tracks water use and identifies unusual flow patterns that may indicate a leak or other plumbing problem.

Some systems also include an automatic shut-off valve that stops the water supply when a major leak is detected, helping prevent water damage.

These technologies are available for single-family homes as well as many multifamily, commercial, and institutional buildings, including apartments, condominiums, schools, hospitals, and hotels.

Don't Forget About Your Water Utility

Many water utilities now use Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to electronically monitor water use. If your utility has AMI, you may already receive notifications about continuous water use or potential leaks through your water bill, email, text message, or an online customer portal.

However, an in-home or in-building leak detection system may provide faster alerts and, in some cases, can automatically shut off the water before significant damage occurs.

Choosing the Right Device

The U.S. EPA's WaterSense program has developed a consumer guide to help homeowners understand the different types of leak detection and flow monitoring devices available and how to choose the right one for their needs.

When evaluating a device, WaterSense recommends considering the following:

Coverage: Point-of-use devices monitor individual fixtures or irrigation systems, while whole-home or whole-building systems monitor total indoor and outdoor water use.
Alerts: Notifications may include audible alarms, text messages, emails, or mobile app alerts.
Automatic Shut-Off: Some devices can automatically stop water flow when a leak is detected.
Customization: Look for adjustable sensitivity, programmable settings, and customizable alerts.
Installation: Whole-home systems sometimes require professional installation and access to power, while some devices simply attach to the water meter or water pipe and can be installed by the homeowner.
Reliability: Consider battery backup to ensure continued operation during power outages.
Safety and Cost: Verify that the device is compatible with fire sprinkler systems, if applicable, and check whether your water utility or insurance provider offers rebates or discounts.

The table below highlights high-quality leak detection and water monitoring products offered by AWE members. Other products are also available on the market and can be found through a simple online search. Additionally, many landscape irrigation systems, including those offered by AWE members Hunter, Irrigreen, Rachio and Rain Bird, have leak detection features.

Type of Device	Description	Example AWE Member Products	Primary Use
Whole-Home/Building Flow Monitoring (Straps to meter or pipe)	Attaches to the home's main water pipe or meter to monitor total water use and detect abnormal flow without cutting into plumbing.	Droplet by Hydrific, Flume	Single-family homes and individually plumbed condos, townhomes, and apartments
Whole-Home/Building Flow Monitoring (Straps to meter or pipe)	Attaches to the building's meter to monitor total water use and detect abnormal flow without cutting into plumbing.	NOWI Sensors	Multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings
Whole-Home/Building Flow Monitoring with Automatic Shutoff (In-line)	Installed directly in the plumbing system to continuously monitor water use and automatically or remotely shut off the water supply when a leak is detected.	Namara Water, Sensor Industries	Single-family homes and individually plumbed condos, townhomes, and apartments
Whole-Home/Building Flow Monitoring with Automatic Shutoff (In-line)	Installed directly in the plumbing system to continuously monitor water use and automatically or remotely shut off the water supply when a leak is detected.	Sensor Industries	Multifamily buildings, commercial buildings
Point of-Use Flow Monitoring	Monitors water use or detects leaks at individual fixtures or supply lines. Often used for submetering and fixture-level analytics.	DrizzleX, NOWI Sensors	Multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings

Sources

¹https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week

²https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/safety/top-five-dangers-to-your-house