Satellite leak-hunting saves rural New Mexico an estimated 327 million gallons a year
In its first year, the state's LeakTracer program found 216 leaks across 28 small utilities. Officials want to take the satellite search statewide.
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The first year of New Mexico's LeakTracer program may have saved an estimated 327 million gallons of drinking water, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. The Environment Department launched it this year for rural systems too small to fund the repairs on their own. A satellite from ASTERRA looks for pockets of moisture as far as 10 feet down. Local crews then hunt for the pipe.
As of September the program had identified 216 leaks across 28 utilities. Left alone, those leaks were estimated at 898,000 gallons a day. Truth or Consequences confirmed 23, the most of any participating system. Jonas Armstrong, who directs the department's Water Protection Division, said the total left him speechless. This is the first year of a four-year, $4 million contract paid through the state's Rural Infrastructure Program. About 562 water systems could qualify before the contract ends in 2029, and officials want the search to go statewide.
For the classroom
Many small towns in New Mexico lose drinking water through leaks they cannot see. A state program called LeakTracer uses a satellite to look for wet spots as deep as 10 feet underground. In its first year it found 216 leaks at 28 small water systems. If those leaks had kept running, the state estimates they would have wasted about 898,000 gallons a day, or 327 million gallons a year. Truth or Consequences had 23 confirmed leaks, the most of any town in the program. Crews still have to dig and find the exact pipe. Officials want more of the state's small water systems to get the same help.
- How can a satellite help find a leak that has not reached the street?
- Why is a hidden water leak a bigger problem in a small town?
- What is one way your family can avoid wasting water at home?
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