TIAFA

Automated Satellite-Based Water Leak Detection for Infrastructure Resilience

Introduction

TIAFA develops an advanced satellite-based system to automatically detect water leaks in water transport infrastructures. By combining high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) imagery, artificial intelligence, and geospatial analysis, the project enables early detection of leak-induced humidity, helping utilities prevent water losses, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the safety of hydraulic networks.

Objectives

Build a scalable end-to-end pipeline for automatic detection of canal leaks using EO data (RGB + NIR).
Validate algorithms in diverse environments: mountain, forest and agricultural areas.
Integrate auxiliary data (topography, land use, cadastre) to minimize false positives.
Provide actionable geospatial outputs within an interactive GIS environment for operators.

Space-driven Innovation

TIAFA harnesses multi-source, high-resolution satellite imagery, including AIRBUS Pleiades NEO (30 cm) and Menut mission data, combined with state-of-the-art AI-driven image analytics. The system applies a comprehensive suite of spectral indices (NDVI, NDWI, PSRI, and NIRRR) together with clustering and temporal differential analysis to detect subtle humidity variations that indicate early-stage leakages.

Through an automated processing pipeline it provides a scalable and efficient framework for continuous infrastructure monitoring and preventive maintenance.

Impact on climate resilience

Water distribution losses can reach up to 25% of the total conveyed volume in hydraulic systems, representing a critical challenge for both resource efficiency and infrastructure safety. By enabling early detection of leaks that could precede dangerous ruptures, TIAFA helps operators take timely preventive action, preserving valuable water resources and ensuring the structural integrity of canal networks

•Efficient water resource management under increasing climate stress and scarcity conditions.

•Significant reduction in maintenance costs and unplanned outages, thanks to predictive intervention strategies.

•Enhanced operational productivity and system reliability, improving the overall efficiency of water distribution networks.

•Greater environmental sustainability, through lower seepage, reduced soil erosion, and protection of surrounding ecosystems.

From Lab to Market: Clients and Commercial Roadmap

TIAFA has strong market potential in the water and energy sectors. Initially developed with ENDESA (ENEL Group) for monitoring over 700 km of hydroelectric canals, the system offers a scalable solution for utilities and infrastructure managers. The roadmap envisions extending the technology to other regions in Spain and Europe, and to international markets such as Italy and South America.