28th July 2026
With an expanded presence in Spain, Ovarro and Becolve Digital are making Ovarro’s latest acoustic leak detection, cloud analytics and managed services available to utilities seeking smarter ways to cut water loss, writes David Pollock, channel manager, Ovarro.
A new report from the United Nations University – Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means (January 2026)- urges cities to adopt long-term strategies for sustainable water management – including leakage reduction.
Globally, non-revenue water averages around 30% of supply - and in some countries, half of available water is lost, level of waste that is unsustainable. As such, reducing leakage remains one of the quickest, most measurable ways to improve resilience and sustainability across water networks.
In Spain, where network losses typically range from 15-25% nationally, reaching as much as 40% in some rural areas, utilities are accelerating investments in modernisation, supported by government PERTE grants and strategic infrastructure programmes.
As part of this transformation, the sector is exploring digital tools that make leak detection faster, more accurate and more cost-effective – meaning Spain represents a high-growth opportunity for smart water management solutions.
To support this transformation, Ovarro is increasing its presence in the Spanish water market, building on legacy installations while introducing a new generation of advanced leakage detection technologies and services.
Ovarro technology is deployed in more than 65 countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America and Australia. The company’s innovations in remote monitoring and predictive, automated analytics now give 24/7 visibility across water networks, allowing for faster, more accurate leakage detection, at scale.
Proven technology
Together with local partner Becolve Digital, Ovarro is introducing a comprehensive suite of hardware, software and managed services in Spain, including proven solutions for both fixed network and lift-and-shift leakage detection.
Solutions now available include the latest Enigma5 series advanced correlating acoustic loggers, including the game-changing models:
- Enigma5hyQ – sensitive hydrophone technology optimised for leak detection over long distances, particularly effective on large diameter trunk mains and plastic pipes
- Enigma5M - a sensitive acoustic accelerometer, which pinpoints even quiet leaks over long distances, meaning fewer loggers are needed per kilometre of network. Data captured by the Enigma5 range is processed and analysed using Ovarro’s Atrium cloud-based analytics platform.
- EnigmaREACH - all-in-one correlating kit, comprising 32 or 64 acoustic leak loggers, a user app to guide technicians through logger deployment, retrieval and follow-up, and access to the Atrium platform.
Managed services momentum
Increasingly, global utilities are adopting managed services, partnering with experts who can deliver faster results and continuous improvement. This approach option allows utilities to focus on strategic planning and resilience, while trusted partners handle the technical delivery - from data analysis to field operations.
By combining digital intelligence, service expertise and proactive planning, water companies can ensure a reliable, sustainable supply - even in the face of growing climate uncertainty
Ovarro has provided managed services to the water sector in Europe and Asia for several years:
- LeakNavigator is a fully managed fixed-network leakage service. The package comprises advanced dataloggers, cutting-edge analytics and Ovarro’s in-house expertise. Our leakage and data specialists can plan logger deployment and provide ongoing analysis, sending points-of-interest directly to field teams via an app.
- LeakCommander takes care of the complete lift-and-shift leakage investigation process on behalf of water utilities.
Demand for managed services is growing in Spain, mirroring global momentum. By partnering with expert providers, utilities can accelerate leakage reduction, cost savings and strengthen long-term network resilience.
Measurable water savings
Ovarro’s solutions are driving measurable water savings, as these international case studies demonstrate:
In the UK, Southern Water was an early adopter of LeakNavigator. The utility partnered with Ovarro for the targeted leak detection across 40 district metered areas. The project achieved an 80% conversion rate, detecting 1,170 leaks and saving 204Ml/d of water monthly.
Just two weeks into another UK project, with Thames Water, 788 leaks were raised and categorised, with 5.78 ML/d saved in the areas served by LeakNavigator.
In Paris, France, the Grand-Orly Seine Bievre territory was the country’s first to benefit from EnigmaREACH. On first deployment, the system covered 8km of network in a single correlation shot and identified three leaks simultaneously. After four weeks, during which time the loggers were moved across multiple locations, 10 leaks were found, including long-running small leaks and leaking valves.
In Davao City, in the Philippines, Enigma loggers detected a major leak just days after installation. The volume of water saved meant a large-scale project to construct a new production well could be put on hold.
In Panamá City, Panama, EnigmaREACH was deployed in a busy district. Within a short period, the system identified 12 points of interest. Field verification confirmed five leaks - including two bursts - in less than two hours, demonstrating the system’s speed and accuracy even in a built-up urban environment.
Digital transformation
In an era of water bankruptcy, Ovarro continues to invest in research and development, with the company’s highly skilled in-house engineering team continually advancing new technologies and enhancing data analytics capabilities. One upcoming innovation is in on-demand correlation, designed to deliver faster insights and further improve leak detection efficiency.
For Spanish utilities looking to accelerate leakage reduction, there has never been a better time to embrace digital transformation.
For more information: https://ovarro.com/en/global/contact-us/sales-enquiries/