Preventing Water Leakage Accidents: Innovations in Water Supply DX
Water leakage can wreak havoc on communities, often leading to significant social and economic disruption. With aging water infrastructure causing countless issues across Japan, innovative solutions are becoming essential. One such solution, the
LeakNet Cellular LNL-C system developed by Fujitecom, is making waves across various municipalities in Japan, including Iwade City in Wakayama Prefecture. This cutting-edge, cloud-based remote leak monitoring system promises to detect and prevent water leakage incidents before they escalate into major crises.
Background: An Invisible Crisis in National Water Systems
Currently, approximately 20% of water pipes across Japan have surpassed their effective lifespan, with over 20,000 leak accidents reported annually. These incidents not only disrupt the lives of residents due to large-scale water outages but also lead to secondary damages like road closures. This creates a substantial financial burden on local governments as they engage in recovery efforts and inform residents. Traditional leak inspections usually rely on annual surface sound tests and regular patrols, with new satellite and AI technologies being applied only sporadically. Recognizing the urgency for a more frequent and efficient inspection approach, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established the