Insights From Solinas
By Arokiaraj Benjamin, Team Solinas
When we think of water, we think of life. Yet one of the biggest hidden threats to water security lies underground. Across cities and industries, millions of liters of treated water disappear each day through leaks and cracks that are rarely noticed.
What looks like an engineering issue is in fact a public health crisis and a financial burden that cannot be ignored.
Scale and Consequences
Globally, utilities in developing countries lose about 35 percent of treated water as Non-revenue Water (NRW). In India, the figure is higher: on average, 38 percent of treated water is lost before it reaches taps, and in some cities the figure climbs beyond 60 percent. A study of 55 major metros found that nearly seven out of ten could cut these losses by half with better inspection and leak detection.
For industries, hidden leaks mean downtime, contamination risks, and higher operating costs. For cities, it means struggling to meet demand even as reservoirs run dry. For households, it often means paying more for tanker water when municipal supply breaks down.
Leaks also open pathways for disease. Cracks in underground pipelines allow sewage or contaminated groundwater to seep into the drinking water supply. The consequences include:
Outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea
Viral infections caused by unsafe water
Long-term exposure to chemical and industrial contaminants
The World Health Organization estimates that four out of five diseases in developing countries are linked to unsafe water, poor sanitation, and hygiene. Preventing contamination at the source is therefore one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes.
The financial impact is just as severe. Municipalities spend heavily on treatment and pumping that never reaches consumers. Industries lose output when contamination halts operations. Citizens pay through higher tariffs, hidden subsidies, or poorer service. In India, with NRW averaging 38 percent, almost two-fifths of supply costs vanish before billing. Each liter lost represents wasted treatment, pumping, and delivery.
Moving Toward Solutions
For decades, pipeline maintenance has been reactive, with bursts fixed only after damage has spread. Advances in technology now make it possible to act early. Tools such as:
Robotic inspection systems
Digital pipeline mapping
help utilities locate weak points, cut losses, and prevent contamination before it spreads.
As Indian cities expand and water scarcity intensifies, efficient water systems will be central to resilience. Reducing leakage is not only about conserving water; it is about limiting disease, keeping supply networks financially sustainable, and restoring confidence in public services.
At Solinas, we work with municipal corporations and industries to build safer and more reliable water and sanitation systems. Every drop recovered is a step toward healthier communities and stronger utilities.