Smart Water Solutions

Aumsat has detected 2,600 leakages and digitized approximately 15,000 km of pipeline networks, helping conserve water and reducing the economic and environmental costs associated with water loss. (Graphic courtesy Aumsat)

Clean water is vital for public health, communities and the economy. Water is also an essential resource for various aspects of agricultural production, including irrigation, livestock and farm management and the preservation of produce. Unfortunately, leakages in water supply pipes result in the daily loss of millions of liters of water and facilitate the entry of potentially harmful contaminants into our drinking water. A Mumbai-based start-up, Aumsat Technologies, uses satellite-based data to detect and predict leakages in water pipeline networks, while also identifying potential groundwater sources.

The idea of utilizing satellite scans to address leakages in water pipelines as well as to detect water beneath the Earth’s surface came to the founder Riddhish Soni during his tenure as a scientist on the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Soni’s primary responsibility on Chandrayaan-2 was to contribute to the development of the mission’s objectives, particularly focusing on the exploration of essential resources on the moon. This included the search for water, helium-3 radioisotopes, as well as deposits of iron and titanium—elements critical for prospective future lunar exploration and potential colonization efforts.

“While working on this mission,” he says, “I realized that if we can detect water on the moon, why not harness this technology to locate groundwater resources on Earth, especially in regions plagued by drought.”

This idea was the cornerstone of what would later evolve into Aumsat. Together with his co-founder, Chetan, Soni began to harness satellite data to create systems aimed at targeting, monitoring and prospecting water resources. The start-up’s initial focus was on developing the technology for farmers, facilitating the detection of groundwater to improve irrigation efficiency and crop yield. This technology was further refined and hyperlocalized to detect leakages in pipelines.

“Our focus has especially been on alleviating water scarcity in drought-stricken areas across India,” says Soni, “integrating disciplines like geomatics, predictive analytics, remote sensing, object detection and statistics to spearhead innovations in the smart water sector.”

Nexus training

Aumsat was part of the 15th cohort at the Nexus Startup Hub at the American Center New Delhi. A partnership between the U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the Alliance for Commercialization and Innovation Research (ACIR), Nexus connects start-ups, innovators and investors, offering access to networks, training, mentors and funding.

Speaking about the training at the Nexus Startup Hub, Soni says it provided a wealth of knowledge that has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Aumsat Technologies. Key areas included financial management for long-term viability, effective storytelling to communicate the start-up’s mission, and body language and fundraising techniques to build confidence and credibility, particularly when pitching to potential investors and partners.

“Problem-solving sessions enhanced our ability to tackle complex challenges, while understanding intellectual property strategy was essential for protecting our innovations and maintaining a competitive edge,” says Soni. “Overall, the training equipped us with essential skills, significantly enhancing our operational effectiveness and competitive positioning in satellite technology applications.”

Aumsat Technologies founder Riddhish Soni (second from left), with ACIR director Erik Azulay (center). (Photograph courtesy Riddhish Soni)

Technology and its impact

Aumsat uses the cutting-edge capabilities of Japan’s L Band satellite, which allows it to penetrate up to 10 meters in concrete and 60 meters in dry soil and detect underground features with great precision.

The principal technologies employed are radar polarimetry for identifying groundwater and radar interferometry for detecting changes below the Earth’s surface. “Radar polarimetry allows us to differentiate between water and other substances, providing accurate insights into groundwater resources,” explains Soni.

“Radar interferometry allows us to detect changes over time in the environment below the surface. By comparing multiple radar images taken at different times, we can identify subtle changes indicative of pipeline leakages, ground subsidence, or other alterations in the landscape. This technology plays a crucial role in our pipeline leak detection efforts, enabling us to pinpoint potential issues with precision and efficiency,” he adds.

Since its inception in 2019, Aumsat has scanned over 44,000 hectares of land, created 3,800 water points, and positively impacted the lives of thousands of smallholder farming families across rural India. “These farmers now have better access to water for irrigation, significantly improving their agricultural productivity and sustainability,” says Soni.

Aumsat has also detected 2,600 leakages and digitized approximately 15,000 km of pipeline networks, which has resulted in saving approximately 17,000 kiloliters of water every month. This effort not only helped conserve water but also reduced the economic and environmental costs associated with water loss.

“Our technology and services have attracted a diverse client base, including smart cities like Udaipur, Indore and Gandhinagar,” says Soni. Aumsat is working in 29 districts across India, helping manage water resources more effectively. “In our recent project in Udaipur, we scanned 50 kilometers of land and successfully detected 47 leaks,” he says. “This not only resulted in savings of $200,000 in revenue water but also conserved 38,000 kiloliters of water.”

Aumsat’s technology can also be instrumental in detecting carbon dioxide and trace gas emissions. This is becoming increasingly important as countries around the world strive to monitor and reduce their carbon footprints in response to global climate change. “By accurately identifying and quantifying these emissions, we can provide essential data that supports informed policy-making and compliance with international environmental standards,” says Soni.

The start-up has implemented a diverse range of projects that leverage its advanced satellite technology for various practical applications. These include aiding 3,800 farmers with groundwater detection to enhance irrigation, collaborating with the Indian Army to identify underground tunnels for national security, and supporting the Indian Navy in submarine detection.

Next steps

Soni’s goal is to digitize all pipeline networks throughout India, which will help augment the government’s ability to significantly upgrade the infrastructure. “By converting lost water into an economic asset, we aim to support the provision of at least 55 liters of water daily to each rural household by 2030, aligning with sustainable development goals,” he says. His company is also venturing into new technological fields, developing a meteorological rocket for cloud seeding and expanding into robotics and Internet of Things.

“These endeavors are part of our broader mission to utilize technology for societal benefit,” says Soni, “ensuring that our advancements in satellite and radar technology directly boost the quality of life and promote environmental stewardship.”

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