Urban water loss is down to 3.6 %

Aarhus Vand has systematically reduced urban water loss from approximately 15–20% in the 1990s to 3.6% today through long-term, proactive leakage management.

The utility shifted from reactive repairs to proactive nighttime leak detection, network sectorization, and the use of District Metered Areas (DMAs). Temporary isolation of network sections, flow measurements, and acoustic detection enabled faster and more precise leak identification.

Asset management and pressure management

Asset management data is used to prioritize pipe renewal based on leakage frequency and pipe age, ensuring cost effective investments. Pressure management further supports leak reduction and energy efficiency. Smart meter deployment is intiated in 2026 and will provide real-time consumption data, strengthening monitoring and early leak detection.

Collectively, these measures have avoided the need for new water production capacity, reduced operational costs, and protected scarce drinking water resources.

Division of network into District Metered Areas (DMA)

Dividing the pipeline network into DMAs required careful planning and technical expertise. Hydraulic calculations were necessary to maintain adequate supply, including flow capacity, while selectively isolating pipes and repositioning valves to enable effective monitoring and leak detection. Locations for distribution chambers and system layout had to be considered to allow further subsectioning.

Determining appropriate DMA sizes before implementation was essential.

Construction of an additional waterworks was avoided

Had leakage remained at 15%, Aarhus Vand would have been required to construct an additional waterworks. By reducing water loss to 3,6 %, Aarhus Vand avoided that capital investment, lowered pumping costs, and reduced wear on pipes and system components, enabling more efficient operations overall. Danish legislation introduced in the 1990s required utilities to pay a state penalty if leakage exceeded 10%, creating a strong financial incentive nationwide to actively manage and reduce water loss.

The experience at Aarhus Vand reinforced a clear lesson: sustained, proactive leak detection is essential and should not be reduced, though it must be balanced at a level that remains economically efficient.