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In South Charente, the use ofartificial intelligence revolutionizes the management of water leaks. Faced with aging networks where a fifth of treated water is lost, the Sud-Charente Drinking Water Union is joining forces with the start-up Leakmited. Thanks to sophisticated algorithms, it becomes possible to predict and anticipate leaks, making it possible not only to preserve water resources, but also to more precisely target water works. rehabilitation necessary.
In South Charente, the Drinking Water Union relies on cutting-edge technology to optimize the management of its water distribution network. Artificial intelligence (AI), developed by the start-up Leakmited, is becoming a central tool for anticipating and preventing water leaks, representing a significant potential gain in terms of resources and costs. This approach, combining technological innovation and local expertise, aims to rationalize investments and preserve a precious resource.
A critical situation: the challenge of water leaks
In France, the problem of water leaks is omnipresent, with one liter in five lost in drinking water networks. This means that 20% of the water pumped and treated never reaches end consumers, often due to aging infrastructure. In South Charente, this percentage is similar, despite disparities between sectors. This region, with its 2,300 kilometers of pipes, serves 19,300 subscribers and distributes approximately 2 million cubic meters of water per year.
A promising technological solution
Faced with this problem, the Sud-Charente Drinking Water Union decided to adopt an AI-based solution, designed by Leakmited. This algorithm makes it possible to prevent leaks by analyzing various infrastructure parameters, such as the year the pipes were laid, their material or even geological data. This approach has already demonstrated its effectiveness, isolating the 20 to 30% of the network where 80% of leaks are concentrated.
The advantages of AI: a decision support tool
The integration of AI into the management of the water network allows the union to prioritize rehabilitation work, thus generating substantial savings in water and financial costs. By renewing 1% of its network each year, the union aims to reduce the water wasted annually by 10,000 cubic meters. With AI, investment decisions are optimized, avoiding costly mistakes.
AI and human expertise: an essential collaboration
While the potential of AI is immense, it remains a tool at the service of elected officials and their decisions. The president of the SEP, Christian Bardet, insists on the importance of maintaining the decision-making power of local authorities. AI is mainly used as a decision support tool. Leakmited teams, for their part, also work in the field to support this technology, detecting invisible leaks with precision.
A measurable impact since the integration of Leakmited
Since the adoption of the innovative algorithm in 2023, the results are already visible. In just one year, the initiative has saved several thousand cubic meters of water, adding to the 10 million already saved since 2019 thanks to Leakmited. This water saving corresponds to the annual consumption of a large city like Bordeaux, illustrating the positive impact of this technological innovation.
