TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Water Corp. has launched a program to reduce pipeline leaks and is using AI technology to detect them, aiming to lower water loss to 9.77% by 2032.

Company Chair Lee Jia-rong (李嘉榮) said pipeline leaks have dropped to 11.52%. The firm spends around NT$8 billion (US$260 million) annually on pipeline upgrades and replacements, per CNA.

For pipes that do not require full replacement, AI leak-detection technology helps significantly cut costs. Last year, the company detected around 4,000 underground leaks, 40% of which were found with the AI-assisted inspection.

The company also reported the regions with the most pipeline leaks. Keelung topped the list due to hilly terrain and narrow roads that make pipeline replacement difficult. It was followed by Pingtung, where sandy soil makes leaks harder to detect, and Hualien, where earthquakes may affect pipelines.

The company has divided Taiwan’s pipeline network into about 4,000 monitoring zones. By combining its self-developed leak detection and analysis system with water supply monitoring, it can identify areas with unusual water flow.

Taiwan Water has also teamed up with the Industrial Technology Research Institute to develop an AI-powered leak detection system that uses ground-penetrating radar to identify leaks. The system can pinpoint leak locations within 1 meter to 95% accuracy.

Traditional leak detection relies on manual inspections, with personnel using listening rods to check pipelines, the institute said. However, the method is time-consuming and easily affected by noise.

Company President Lee Lai-ting (李來丁) said the company lost over NT$4.9 billion last year. The average water price of NT$11.12 per cubic meter fell short of the NT$14.13 cost, and unchanged rates for 31 years added to the deficit.

To offset the deficit, the company has submitted a water fee increase plan to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for review. It also rents out idle land or allows solar installations on its sites to generate additional revenue.