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FIDO Tech and Northumbrian Water win Real-Time Monitoring & Control Project award by using AI to cut winter water leakage by 6.4 Ml/day
FIDO Tech and Northumbrian Water have been named joint winners of the Real-Time Monitoring & Control Project of the Year at the UK's 2026 Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement (EMMA) Awards.
The award recognises an innovative leakage management program using AI-powered acoustic monitoring that transformed how Northumbrian Water responds to winter leakage breakouts in its distribution network.
The collaboration saw the deployment of more than 1,000 AI-powered acoustic sensors across 149 kilometres of water network, enabling a shift from traditional reactive leakage detection to continuous, proactive monitoring. During a period of heightened leakage risk last winter, the project delivered leakage reductions of approximately 267 m³/hr (6.4 Ml/day). It also helped improve operational efficiency and network visibility.
The EMMA Awards celebrate excellence in environmental monitoring and measurement across the air, water and land sectors. They recognise projects that demonstrate innovation, measurable outcomes and industry impact.
A partnership with measurable results
The project combined Northumbrian Water's operational expertise with FIDO's innovative monitoring solution, Network Monitor, to provide near real-time insight into network performance. With this data, leakage teams were able to identify, verify and respond to leaks more quickly and effectively.
The result is a more resilient network, reduced water loss and a scalable model for using AI to support utilities facing growing challenges from ageing infrastructure, climate pressures and increasing customer expectations.
The award highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in supporting water utilities to improve performance while protecting increasingly valuable water resources.
"By combining AI-powered intelligence with operational expertise, we've delivered measurable reductions in water loss while improving resilience and efficiency. We are incredibly proud of what this partnership has achieved. It demonstrates how utilities can move from reactive approaches to continuous network monitoring. We are looking forward to building on this success together."
A shared commitment to water resilience
Collaboration between utilities and technology providers can accelerate the adoption of proven digital solutions that deliver tangible operational and environmental benefits.
Many water companies are looking for new ways to reduce leakage and improve network resilience. The partnership between FIDO Tech and Northumbrian Water proves how AI-enabled monitoring can help drive better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment.
"Innovation plays a vital role in helping us tackle the challenges facing the water industry, from reducing leaks to preventing sewer flooding, and improving how we monitor and manage our networks.
By working closely with our partners and embracing new technology, we're able to find smarter ways to improve our environmental performance, protect our water resources and continue delivering benefits for our customers and communities."."
