How Leak Detection and Monitoring Can Drive Net-Zero Water
4:19
Smart water technology is helping drought-stricken communities move boldly toward net-zero water use.
Across the United States, water demand is surging as the population grows, especially in the drought-prone regions of the West and Southwest. In states like Nevada, Arizona, California, and Colorado, water demand is already outpacing supply. The Colorado River Compact over-allocates water across the region, and current usage exceeds available supply, forcing mandatory cuts and highlighting the urgency of conservation.
In response, many states have implemented stricter water policies, conservation programs, and pricing structures to address this growing challenge.
Homebuilders and building product manufacturers are also taking action. Many are incorporating smart water monitoring and leak detection systems that help homeowners track consumption and identify leaks early. Companies such as Phyn and Moen have developed technologies that learn a home’s unique water-use patterns and alert residents to irregularities, helping them conserve water and prevent costly damage.
Increasingly, prospective homeowners are seeking homes with net-zero water features. COGNITION Smart Data shows that 53% of builders report their clients consider these features to be a very or extremely important factor in their purchasing decisions, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable water solutions.
Household leaks alone can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year, according to the EPA. While that may only translate to $40 to $100 in wasted water, undetected leaks can easily result in thousands of dollars in property damage—making early detection a smart investment for homeowners.
COGNITION Smart Data also shows that California, Arizona, and Colorado rank among the top ten states nationwide for the adoption of water monitoring and leak detection systems, which makes sense given the urgency of water conservation in those areas.
As populations continue to grow and water resources become increasingly scarce, these innovations are playing a vital role in achieving net-zero water use in homes and communities. By identifying leaks early and helping homeowners track and manage consumption, these technologies not only reduce waste and prevent costly damage but also contribute to broader water sustainability goals.
Beyond leak detection and water monitoring systems, COGNITION shows that other, trending water-conserving technologies include:
Water conserving/low flow plumbing fixtures & appliances
Greywater systems for interior non-potable use & landscaping
Smart irrigation systems that respond to weather conditions
Rain/roof water capture with holding tanks and filtration systems so that water can be reused inside the home
Hot water recirculatory switch
Structured plumbing
Atmospheric generators that pull water out of the air for fresh water supply
New water meters with auto/remote shut off
Groundwater recharge products like permeable pavers
According to COGNITION, there is a growing level of awareness and demand for these technologies, with consumers reporting an increasing willingness to invest in water technologies like low flow plumbing fixtures, leak detection systems, water efficient appliances, and hot water recirculation systems.
The increasing demand for water technologies is not surprising, given that 85% of survey respondents indicate that their geographic region is facing water availability issues and/or water quality issues.
COGNITION Smart Data, Green Builder Media’s pioneering suite of market intelligence and data services, uses cutting-edge cognitive learning technology to deliver the insights you need to align products, messaging, and innovation with what homebuyers actually want.
COGNITION is the only market insights platform specifically engineered for the building industry’s sustainability transformation. We track evolving consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, policy shifts, competitive benchmarks, and market demand signals so you can adjust faster, sell smarter, and grow revenue—confidently.
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.
How Leak Detection and Monitoring Can Drive Net-Zero Water
Smart water technology is helping drought-stricken communities move boldly toward net-zero water use.
Across the United States, water demand is surging as the population grows, especially in the drought-prone regions of the West and Southwest. In states like Nevada, Arizona, California, and Colorado, water demand is already outpacing supply. The Colorado River Compact over-allocates water across the region, and current usage exceeds available supply, forcing mandatory cuts and highlighting the urgency of conservation.
In response, many states have implemented stricter water policies, conservation programs, and pricing structures to address this growing challenge.
Homebuilders and building product manufacturers are also taking action. Many are incorporating smart water monitoring and leak detection systems that help homeowners track consumption and identify leaks early. Companies such as Phyn and Moen have developed technologies that learn a home’s unique water-use patterns and alert residents to irregularities, helping them conserve water and prevent costly damage.
Increasingly, prospective homeowners are seeking homes with net-zero water features. COGNITION Smart Data shows that 53% of builders report their clients consider these features to be a very or extremely important factor in their purchasing decisions, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable water solutions.
Household leaks alone can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year, according to the EPA. While that may only translate to $40 to $100 in wasted water, undetected leaks can easily result in thousands of dollars in property damage—making early detection a smart investment for homeowners.
COGNITION Smart Data also shows that California, Arizona, and Colorado rank among the top ten states nationwide for the adoption of water monitoring and leak detection systems, which makes sense given the urgency of water conservation in those areas.
As populations continue to grow and water resources become increasingly scarce, these innovations are playing a vital role in achieving net-zero water use in homes and communities. By identifying leaks early and helping homeowners track and manage consumption, these technologies not only reduce waste and prevent costly damage but also contribute to broader water sustainability goals.
Beyond leak detection and water monitoring systems, COGNITION shows that other, trending water-conserving technologies include:
According to COGNITION, there is a growing level of awareness and demand for these technologies, with consumers reporting an increasing willingness to invest in water technologies like low flow plumbing fixtures, leak detection systems, water efficient appliances, and hot water recirculation systems.
The increasing demand for water technologies is not surprising, given that 85% of survey respondents indicate that their geographic region is facing water availability issues and/or water quality issues.
You can reprint this blog.Simply include this link with your attribution.
About COGNITION Smart Data
COGNITION is the only market insights platform specifically engineered for the building industry’s sustainability transformation. We track evolving consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, policy shifts, competitive benchmarks, and market demand signals so you can adjust faster, sell smarter, and grow revenue—confidently.
Subscribe Now!
By Victoria Muharsky
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.Also Read