The NSW Government is investing $4 million in a new AI-powered water monitoring platform designed to identify leaks faster and potentially save enough water each year to supply around 13,500 homes.
Known as NSW DataDrop, the platform will bring smart-meter information from government buildings across the state into a single near real-time system, helping agencies identify unusual water use and respond to leaks before they become more costly.
The technology is expected to save up to 2,700 megalitres of water each year once fully operational.
AI to Detect Hidden Water Leaks
NSW DataDrop is being developed in partnership with the Smart Water Informatics team at Griffith University.
The system will use advanced analytics and AI-powered leak detection to analyse smart-meter data from major government facilities including:
- Schools
- TAFEs
- Hospitals
- Other government buildings
Rather than generating large numbers of individual leak alerts, DataDrop will consolidate information into clearer reports that help maintenance teams identify which leaks require the most urgent attention.
The system will automatically detect unusual consumption patterns, estimate potential water and financial losses, and alert users when possible leaks are identified.
Schools Can Lose Around 20% of Water Through Leaks
The NSW Government says an average school uses around 2 million litres of water each year, with an estimated 20 per cent of that consumption potentially linked to leaks.
A single leaking toilet can waste as much water over a year as an average school’s total annual water consumption, highlighting the potential impact of leaks that remain undetected for long periods.
Large and complex sites can be particularly difficult to monitor because normal changes in water consumption can make hidden leaks harder to identify using traditional methods.
The new platform is intended to distinguish between normal activity and abnormal water use more effectively.
Student Interface to Support Water Education
DataDrop will also include a dedicated interface designed for school students.
Students will be able to view information about their school’s water consumption and learn more about the urban water cycle.
The education component will be supported by lesson plans and practical activities, including school water audits, linking real-world consumption data with classroom learning.
Government Water Data Brought Into One Platform
NSW DataDrop will integrate smart-meter information with property and water-use data from government agencies and water utilities.
The system is intended to improve comparisons between different buildings and sectors, provide better information about consumption patterns and support longer-term water efficiency planning.
The project follows earlier development work under the NSW Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program. During 2024–25, DataDrop entered its discovery phase, which included stakeholder consultation and development of a proof-of-concept prototype.
Platform Expected by Mid-2027
The NSW Government says DataDrop is on track to be ready for use by mid-2027.
Water Minister Rose Jackson said near real-time monitoring would allow agencies to respond much faster when unusual water use occurs, particularly in buildings that should be empty overnight.
The Government also sees potential for similar technology to eventually be expanded beyond government facilities to other industries, businesses and households.
Once operational, NSW DataDrop is expected to provide government agencies with a centralised system for detecting leaks, reducing water costs and improving the efficiency of some of the state’s largest water users.
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