The New Mexico Environment Department is partnering with the private sector to identify water leaks, often located underground, to prevent water loss and advance the state’s 50-Year Water Action Plan. In an initiative called Hydro Delta, the state is using satellites and machine learning to identify anomalies that may indicate water leaks and ultimately water losses.
ECOS Vice President James Kenney of New Mexico notes that water leaks are often extremely difficult to locate and fix, especially in rural communities with limited staffing and resources. Stemming in part from recently restricted water flows in the village of Chama during peak summer tourist season and in the city of Truth or Consequences, the initiative looks at 40 years of historic and current satellite imagery and thermal and infrared images of temperature and moisture to identify possible anomalies for further inspection.
When a potential leak is detected, NMED staff notify one of New Mexico’s 1,100 water systems for investigation. This innovative technology will enable NMED to provide accurate and reliable data to community agencies for improved water management. Nationally, up to 70% of treated drinking water is lost due to infrastructure leaks.
For more information, see this video or contact Meta Hirschl of NMED.
