Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has said that it has adopted smart ball leak detection to detect invisible water leakages in water transmission pipelines that would otherwise be hard to see or reach.

In a statement, DEWA said that the adoption of the technology is part of its ongoing efforts to reduce water losses. It explained that the smart ball system consists of a small diameter sphere that is inserted into the water network where it travels freely, driven by the water flow. Sounds generated by a leak, gas pocket or anomalies have unique characteristics and will be picked up by the device.

Once it has captured the sounds from inside the pipeline, the device’s software is then able to detect the location of the leak. The technology has saved 68.45m gallons and AED2.74mn since its implementation in April 2021, DEWA said.

On the strategic move, MD and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: “DEWA adopts the latest technologies in generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity and water. It applies the best global practices in all its projects to raise production and operational efficiency.

“It achieved concrete savings in developing the water network to promote its effectiveness and reliability, raise the water flow to meet the comprehensive development needs and the growing demand. In addition, it provides its services for more than a million customers in Dubai according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, and efficiency,” stated Al Tayer.

“In Dubai we have a comprehensive vision to ensure the sustainability of resources as part of the integrated strategy of managing water resources in Dubai which focuses on enhancing water resources, conserving consumption and using the latest technologies as well as innovative solutions,” he added.