[KnoWaterleak: Case Study] A Local Government with a population of 100k-200k in Japan

– Achieving 6× More Effective Leak Detection and 79% Cost Reduction –

Tokyo, Japan – June 12, 2025 – Tenchijin Inc., a space-tech innovator, announces the implementation of its “KnoWaterleak” solution in a Japanese local government. This digital transformation (DX) solution for water utilities leverages satellite dataleverages satellite data to support sustainable water infrastructure management and has significantly improved both leak detection efficiency and cost-effectiveness.  In municipalities with populations between 100,000 and 200,000, the solution achieved 6 times higher efficiency in leak detection and a 79% reduction in leakage survey costs.

Addressing Underground Infrastructure Challenges

Water infrastructure faces critical challenges due to aging underground pipelines that are difficult to assess from the surface. In Malaysia, water leakage is expected to cause RM4 billion in losses by 2030, with non-revenue water rates reaching critical levels in many states. The situation is worsening primarily due to aging infrastructure and insufficient maintenance. (Source: Malaysian Water Association) Both in Japan and globally, local governments face a critical challenge. In Japan, over 176,000 kilometers of water pipes installed during the 1960s economic boom are now past their 40-year service life.  Meanwhile, globally, aging infrastructure and constrained budgets are placing immense pressure on municipal resources. With replacement costs averaging 200 million yen per kilometer, this creates an unprecedented financial burden for local governments worldwide.

Breakthrough Results in Leak Detection and Cost Efficiency

1. Six-fold Increase in Leak Detection Efficiency

Traditional acoustic surveys detected an average of 0.7 leaks per 10 km of pipeline. With KnoWaterleak’s technology integration, this increased to 4.2 leaks per 10km  – a six-fold improvement in detection efficiency.

2. Significant Cost Reduction in Leak Detection and Risk Assessment Surveys

Traditional survey costs averaged 25,000 MYR (860,000 JPY) per leak detection. The implementation of KnoWaterleak reduced this to approximately 5,200 MYR (180,000 JPY) per leak. Including both technology costs and acoustic surveys, this represents a 79% reduction in total survey expenses, enabling more effective utilization of limited budgets.

3. Precise Risk Assessment and Targeted Detection

• The system’s risk assessment proved highly accurate, with 40% (50 locations) of all leaks identified in high-risk areas:
• E-rated areas (highest risk, shown in red) comprise only 3% of total area but contained 10% (12 locations) of discovered leaks
• D-rated areas (second highest risk, shown in orange) represent 17% of total area and contained 30% (38 locations) of leaks
• Combined, these high-risk areas (E and D ratings) representing just 20% of the total area yielded 40% (50 locations) of all leak detections. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system’s risk assessment and validate the prioritization strategy for high-risk zones. 

The implementation of KnoWaterleak represents a significant advancement in water infrastructure management, demonstrating that satellite technology can revolutionize traditional utility operations. The remarkable improvements in leak detection efficiency and cost reduction showcase the potential of space technology in solving earthbound challenges.With aging water infrastructure becoming a global concern, solutions like KnoWaterleak offer a scalable, data-driven approach to infrastructure maintenance. 

The system’s proven ability to accurately identify high-risk areas while significantly reducing operational costs makes it a valuable tool for municipalities worldwide facing similar challenges.As water infrastructure continues to age globally, the need for innovative, cost-effective solutions becomes increasingly critical. Tenchijin’s success in Japanese municipalities serves as a model for how space technology can be effectively applied to enhance infrastructure management and ensure sustainable water supply systems for future generations.

About Tenchijin Inc.

Tenchijin, Inc. is a space-tech innovator leveraging satellite data and AI to detect hidden water infrastructure risks, predict potential leaks, and drive more sustainable, efficient water management through space-derived insights. Our flagship product, KnoWaterleak, combines satellite technology with advanced AI algorithms to proactively identify and prevent costly infrastructure failures, enabling organizations to manage their water systems more sustainably.

About Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak:

KnoWaterleak is an innovative platform that harnesses satellite data and AI to predict and prevent water infrastructure risks. The system analyzes space-derived data to identify potential leaks within 100-meter square zones, providing unprecedented insights through a 5-level risk evaluation system.

Through continuous AI learning and data collection, the platform demonstrates efficiency in sustainable water management, reducing inspection costs by approximately 65% and saving 85% of time. This technology was recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at the 7th Infrastructure Maintenance Grand Prize.

Special site for Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak: https://knowaterleak.space/

For inquiries regarding the expansion of Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak in Asia, please contact:

Asia Business Development Representative: asia-t@tenchijin.co.jp

■Company overview

Company name: Tenchijin, Inc.

E-Mail: pr@tenchijin.co.jp (Person in charge of communication: Kiki, Kurumi)

Address: Room 3, Ground Floor, Block 2330, Century Square, Jalan Usahawan, Off, Persiaran Multimedia, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Representative: Yasuhito Sakuraba, CEO

Business content: land evaluation consulting using satellite data

Site URL: tenchijin.co.jp/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenchijin/

X: https://x.com/Tenchijin_en

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES