Wolverhampton researchers secure funding for pioneering satellite-based solution to tackle UK water

 Wolverhampton researchers secure funding for pioneering satellite-based solution to tackle UK water leakage crisis.

Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton, alongside South Staffordshire Water, are leading a ground-breaking project, called ‘Space Eye’, that could transform how water leakage is detected across the UK, using next-generation satellite technology to deliver faster, more accurate and cost-effective monitoring.

Alongside partners, Professor Mohammad Patwary and Dr Rahul Mourya, based in the University of Wolverhampton’s Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC), have obtained £1.3m in funding from Ofwat’s Innovation fund to build, launch and operate a fleet of six Low Earth Orbit (LEO) micro satellites, aimed at detecting water leakage and unaccounted-for water with unprecedented efficiency and precision.

The funding, awarded as part of a successful application to Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge 5, which has allocated up to £40 million to highly collaborative water-sector innovations, aims to deliver benefits for customers, society and the environment.

According to Water UK, water loss is a persistent issue for the UK water industry, with an estimated 19% of the water supply lost before it reaches consumers. This results in significant financial and environmental costs, amounting to £3.2 billion annually across the utilities sector - including £697 million from residential leaks alone.

Traditional detection methods, such as acoustic monitoring and tracer gas detection, remain labour-intensive and inefficient. These approaches typically locate fewer than one leak per day per crew and cost between £250 and £2,000 per inspection. While satellite-based technologies like Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and L-band radar (e.g., ASTERRA) have improved detection rates, their high operational costs and image refresh rates of 7–14 days still limit their effectiveness. 

To address these limitations, the proposed solution - using the QUUB satellite platform - brings several key advantages:

• High-frequency imaging, delivering fresh data every 6 hours for faster response.
• 2–5 metre per pixel resolution, offering the detail needed for pinpointing leaks.
• AI-powered detection, enhancing accuracy through machine learning algorithms.
• Significant cost savings, with detection costs projected to be at least 10 times lower than current satellite-based methods.
• Global scalability, allowing rapid deployment beyond the UK and reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in intelligent water infrastructure management.

Professor Mohammad Patwary, Director of the University’s Digital Innovation and Solution Centre (DISC), and the Academic Lead of the project said:

“This Ofwat-initiated opportunity marks a major innovation leap for the UK- enhancing the water industry's efficiency and infrastructure longevity, while creating a platform for critical sectors like energy, transport, and telecom, positioning the UK as a leader in LEO satellite-driven innovation and productivity.”

By merging advanced AI techniques with high-resolution satellite imagery, the team’s solution aims to revolutionise water leakage detection - reducing economic losses, improving operational efficiency, and supporting the UK’s long-term environmental sustainability goals.

This project represents a strategic collaboration between multiple partners: South Staffordshire Water, Quub, University of Wolverhampton, Sutton and Easy Surrey Water, Northumbrian Water, Welsh Water, Southeast Water, Scottish Water, United Utilities and Spring.