This Solutions Spotlight article was contributed by Oldcastle Infrastructure.
Stretching across seven states, the Colorado River fuels agriculture, generates power, and provides drinking water for nearly 40 million people. Yet its reliability may be waning as the primary source for what amounts to around 12% of the U.S. population. The river’s flow has dropped by roughly 20% over the past century, creating serious consequences —a 10% reduction threatens more than $1 trillion in economic activity.
In Arizona, a 2023 state report forecast a groundwater shortage of 4.6 million acre-feet over the next century. That shortfall could stall development in Phoenix, home to 4.6 million people. California’s State Water Project predicts a 23% decline in water delivery capacity by 2043—enough to impact 1.7 million households annually.
Water loss adds to the problem. Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—water loss caused by leaks, theft, or metering errors—wastes six billion gallons of treated water every day in the U.S., costing municipalities $8 billion a year. Much of this is due to failing infrastructure. The EPA estimates $625 billion is needed over the next two decades to upgrade drinking water systems.
In January 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Availability Assessment report found that “nearly 30 million people live in areas where available surface-water supplies are limited relative to water use, indicating a high level of water limitation.” Combine a dwindling supply of natural water with climate change and aging infrastructure, and today’s municipal leaders face a trio of challenges demanding innovative solutions for effective water management. Each passing day underscores an eye-opening reality: water scarcity is becoming prevalent nationwide, and protecting our available water is imperative.
To help utilities get ahead of the problem, Oldcastle Infrastructure developed CivilSense™, an AI-powered solution that identifies leaks and predicts failures before they happen. CivilSense™ combines network and acoustic data with real-time analysis to help cities reduce water loss, prevent costly breaks, and prioritize repairs. One recent success story comes from Bartow County, GA, which purchases about 95% of its water from surrounding areas. In a CivilSense™ pilot, the system identified nine leaks across the network—four large, three medium, and two small—totaling a loss of 83 gallons per minute, or nearly 43 million gallons per year.
“Being able to find and fix leaks before they cause serious damage is a smarter and more cost-effective approach,” said Lamont Kiser, director of Bartow County Water. “Our proactive strategy is working.”
As climate pressures intensify and infrastructure continues to age, communities must act now. Solutions like CivilSense™ offer a scalable way to preserve resources, reduce costs, and ensure a sustainable water future.
Author: Chris Cummings, Smart Water Consultant, Digital Water Market, Oldcastle Infrastructure.
Specializing in software solutions and go-to-market strategy, Chris is dedicated to advancing sustainable water management technologies.
