AI to stop 165 million litres of water waste

Amazon and Aganova recently announced a collaboration to reduce water loss in Recife's service network through AI-powered acoustic leak detection technology. The technology uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host and provide data analytics capabilities to identify leak points in water pipelines managed by the local utility, Compesa. The project is expected to save 165 million litres of water annually once completed, the equivalent of 66 Olympic swimming pools.

At the heart of the project is Aganova's Nautilus system. This in-line inspection technology operates inside pipelines while they remain in service, combining advanced data collection with AI-powered analytics to accurately detect and locate hidden leaks and air pockets—issues that conventional methods often cannot identify.

As Marcos Barrera, CEO of Aganova, explained: "Water loss is one of the most urgent and solvable challenges in global water management. At Aganova, we combine advanced sensing technology with data intelligence to detect what others cannot see. This project in Recife demonstrates how our Nautilus system can generate measurable water savings, protect critical resources, and help utilities transition to smarter, more sustainable operations."

Amazon's goal is to be a good steward of water in all areas where it operates, and increasing water efficiency is one of the ways to achieve this goal. "The collaboration between local utilities and companies applying cutting-edge technology is a smart path to solving critical city problems, such as water waste. This initiative increases water efficiency, strengthens infrastructure, helps preserve natural resources, and provides lasting benefits for the communities of Recife and surrounding areas," said Juliana Sztrajtman, President of Amazon Brazil. 

Recife, one of the fastest-growing coastal cities in Brazil, faces increasing pressure on its water resources. In this context, reducing physical water losses is not only an operational priority but a strategic necessity. It directly contributes to reducing extraction pressure on vulnerable water bodies and improving the efficiency of the entire water distribution system.

As Compesa noted: “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in modernising water management in Recife State of Pernambuco. By leveraging advanced technologies, we can better understand our network, reduce losses, and ensure a more reliable and sustainable water supply for the population we serve.”

The Nautilus system operates in large-diameter transmission pipelines that, while representing a relatively small portion of the network, are responsible for a disproportionate share of water losses.

The initiative will focus on a basin in southern Recife, where targeted intervention will deliver measurable results. The project aims to recover 165 million litres of water annually once completed through advanced leak detection and repair strategies. To achieve this, approximately 69 kilometres of large-diameter pipelines will be inspected using Aganova's Nautilus technology. These water savings through this project are expected to directly contribute to reducing pressure on the Boa Viagem aquifer and improving system performance. While these figures are based on current network data and operational experience, results may be enhanced as the project progresses.

The initiative also has the support of Effico Saneamento, Aganova's partner in Brazil, providing specialized local knowledge and engineering support. This is the second joint initiative between Amazon and Aganova in the country - a similar project was launched in São Paulo in 2025, in collaboration with Sabesp, to prevent the waste of approximately 210 million litres of water per year.