That is 0 articles you have read today.
The Aporia is free and carries no advertising, so readers are the only
thing paying for it. If you are getting this much out of it, a small
donation is what keeps it independent.
Daily limit reached
You have read 0 articles today.
That is more than the 15 a day The Aporia gives away,
and well past what it can carry on nothing. Your allowance resets at
midnight.
There is no advertising here and nothing about you is sold, so readers
are the only thing paying for it. If the site is worth this much of
your day, it is worth a few dollars.
Everything else stays open: the
maps, the
directory and
search do
not count against this, and neither does re-opening something you have
already read today.
NSW is trialing AI technology to detect water leaks in schools and government buildings, aiming to save 2,700 megalitres annually. The system analyzes smart meter data to identify leaks before sending alerts to managers. Developed with Griffith University and funded by a $4 million investment, the technology has already been tested by local councils and is being expanded to Sydney Water for further trials.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-23,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
NSW is trialing AI technology to detect water leaks in schools and government buildings as part of the NSW Water Efficiency Program, managed by Jethro Laidlaw. The program uses smart meters to identify leaks and alert maintenance teams, potentially saving up to 2,700 megalitres of water annually. According to Professor Rodney Stewart from Griffith University's School of Engineering and Built Environment, the technology can pinpoint problematic areas efficiently, reducing unnecessary repairs. On average, a school in NSW uses about 2 megalitres (2 million litres) per year, with an estimated 20% lost due to leaks; one toilet was found leaking up to 7 million litres over time. The portal, expected to be operational by mid-next year, will allow site managers to monitor multiple locations simultaneously, streamlining leak detection and repair processes.
Written for “School AI Water Leak Detection Trials” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
In short:
AI technology is being trialled in NSW to clamp down on water leaks in schools and government buildings.
asserted
technology → trialle → schools
The state's head of water efficiency programs says the technology could lead to 2,700 megalitres of water being saved every year.
uncertain
megalitres → say → water
A portal that shows leaks and alerts is expected to be ready for use by the middle of next year.
asserted
that → show → year
The NSW government is trialling artificial intelligence to catch the millions of litres of water lost by leaks in schools, TAFEs, hospitals and public housing.
asserted
government → trialle → schools
The technology analyses reports from smart meters to identify leaks before sending alerts to agencies.
asserted
technology → analyse → agencies
Jethro Laidlaw, who manages the water efficiency programs for the government, said this could save 2,700 megalitres of water every year.
uncertain
this → manage → water
"The average school in NSW uses about 2 megalitres, or 2 million litres, a year," he said.
"
asserted
he → use → megalitres
We know from smart meter data we can see that about 20 per cent of that seems to be leaks.
asserted
cent → know → that
"I've seen one toilet leak 7 million litres.
asserted
toilet → see → litres
"
Information about leaks is collated into a portal that allows site managers to monitor multiple locations at once.
"
asserted
managers → collate → locations
If he's [ the site manager] looking after 50 different schools, then he has 50 different logins for 50 different sites and it becomes unworkable really quickly," Mr Laidlaw said.
asserted
Laidlaw → look → sites
The technology, developed with teams from Griffith University, is being funded by a $4 million investment through the NSW Water Efficiency Program.
asserted
technology → develop → Program
It is already being trialled by Tamworth Regional Council, Central Coast Council and Hunter Water.
asserted
It → trialle → Council
"Our leak algorithms turn a flood of smart meter data into a clear road map for maintenance teams, ensuring they fix the right leaks at the right time," Griffith University School of Engineering and Built Environment professor Rodney Stewart said.
asserted
Stewart → turn → Engineering
Mr Laidlaw says work is underway to get Sydney Water on board with the pilot.
asserted
Water → say → pilot
Preparing for the next drought
Mr Laidlaw said it was important to roll out the trial before the state faced another dry period.
asserted
state → prepare → period
"My job is to think about the next drought," Mr Laidlaw said.
"
asserted
Laidlaw → think → drought
It also saves a lot of water and money along the way, but in droughts you can't roll out big projects like this."
asserted
you → save → this
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a strong El Niño until at least autumn 2027, which typically brings hot and dry conditions to NSW.
asserted
which → forecast → NSW
Water Minister Rose Jackson said the technology would save water and taxpayer money from going down the drain.
asserted
technology → say → drain
"Water is our most valuable and previous resource and we want to make every drop count, particularly as we enter drier summer conditions," she said.
asserted
she → want → conditions
"This is technology that can go further, with the potential to be rolled out across other sectors and into homes, helping households and businesses take greater control of their water use."
asserted
households → go → use
The Aporia