Overview

This case study highlights how proactive monitoring delivered immediate value within days of installation for Advance Northumberland across its commercial property portfolio. A significant leak was identified almost instantly after deployment, demonstrating how early-stage monitoring can prevent substantial ongoing losses. 

The Problem

Shortly after onboarding, monitoring equipment was installed across seven sites within a commercial portfolio. Almost immediately, our system identified a constant flow of 1,600 litres per hour at one location, indicating a continuous and abnormal water loss.

At this rate, the site was losing:

• 1.6 m³ per hour
• 38.4 m³ per day
• Equivalent to 14,000 m³ per year (or enough water to fill almost 6 Olympic sized swimming pools)

This represented a potential annual loss of:

• ~£49,000 per year

The leak was not visible on site and had gone previously undetected.

The Resolution

Following the alert:

• The issue was immediately flagged to the client
 • A survey was arranged without delay
 • Repair works organised for the following day

The investigation identified a significant leak discharging directly into a drain from one of the site’s pipework systems.

Within five days of initial detection, Demeter attended and completed the repair.

The Impact

Following rectification, site consumption reduced to:

• 100 litres per hour baseline flow

This represents a reduction of:

• 1,500 litres per hour

Financial Impact:

• £45,000 annual saving in water and wastewater costs

Client feedback reflects the speed and impact of proactive monitoring from day one.

Outcome

This case demonstrates the value of proactive monitoring from day one. Within 48 hours of installation, a major and previously undetected leak was identified, investigated, and resolved within days.

The rapid response prevented substantial ongoing financial loss and ensured the site returned to stable operating conditions.

Our pro-active and comprehensive monitoring approach identified that after the repair, there is still a remaining constant flow of around 100 litres per hour which carries an annual cost of losses of £4,000. This will be followed up to save every possible loss of water.

 Project Update: Second Underground Leak Delivers Further £4,500 Annual Savings

Following the successful repair of the original underground leak, Advance Northumberland had already achieved significant reductions in water consumption and annual costs. However, as part of Demeter's proactive monitoring service, the site continued to be closely monitored to ensure that all sources of water loss had been eliminated.

Ongoing data analysis revealed a residual constant flow of approximately 155 litres per hour, indicating that water was still being lost outside normal operating hours. Further investigation uncovered a second underground leak that had previously gone undetected.

Following the repair, the site's constant flow was eliminated, with overnight consumption reducing to near zero litres per hour. This additional intervention removed the remaining unnecessary water usage, saving approximately 1.36 million litres of water annually and delivering a further £4,500 per year in cost savings.

The outcome demonstrates the value of continuous monitoring and data-led investigation, ensuring that hidden losses are identified and resolved to maximise both financial and environmental savings.