Utility-Led Research Fuels Smarter Water Upgrades

Nearly $6M in utility-driven research aims to curb leaks, fight corrosion, and deploy data tools that make US water systems work smarter

16 Jan 2026

America’s water utilities are backing a quieter form of innovation, committing nearly $6mn in research value to projects aimed at improving the daily operation of ageing water systems rather than pursuing ambitious new builds.

The Water Research Foundation said its 2025 Tailored Collaboration Program would support 13 projects designed and led by utilities themselves. Announced late last year, the initiative focuses on applied research that can be put to use quickly, addressing routine but costly problems inside distribution networks.

Under the programme, participating utilities help set research priorities, share costs and guide project design. The foundation said this structure was intended to close the gap between academic research and operational needs, a long-standing complaint in the sector.

The selected projects cover corrosion control, artificial intelligence, data-based decision tools, water reuse and other “One Water” themes that link drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management. Several studies aim to improve monitoring of distribution systems, allowing utilities to detect leaks earlier and extend the life of pipes already in the ground. Others focus on corrosion, one of the most common causes of pipe failure in the US.

The foundation said the goal was to move beyond theory and deliver research with broad, practical value. By pooling resources, utilities are expected to stretch limited research budgets while producing findings that can be shared across the industry.

The timing reflects mounting pressure on water providers. Many are managing infrastructure that is decades old, while facing rising repair costs and uncertainty over future federal funding. Tools that help prioritise repairs, prevent failures and support investment cases with regulators can deliver savings quickly.

Such gains matter in a system that loses an estimated 15 percent of treated water before it reaches customers. Even modest improvements in efficiency can reduce costs and disruption.

Adoption may be uneven. Smaller utilities often lack staff and training to deploy new tools, and integrating new approaches with legacy systems can be slow. Still, involving utilities from the outset is expected to speed testing and build confidence in the results.

The broader shift is clear. Innovation in the US water sector is moving away from large construction projects towards making existing systems work more effectively, signalling incremental change in an industry known for caution.