ABB AquaMaster+ Adds Cloud-Based Leak Detection and Water Network Optimization

ABB has expanded its smart water portfolio with AquaMaster+, a cloud-based platform designed to help water utilities identify leaks, monitor network behavior and improve distribution performance. The platform combines connected flow measurements with GIS mapping, device diagnostics, remote configuration and scenario modeling.

AquaMaster+ can work with ABB AquaMaster4 flowmeters or operate as a software layer integrated with other measurement systems. That flexibility matters for utilities because water networks rarely use one generation of instrumentation across every district.

Turning Flow Data Into Network-Level Visibility

Traditional flow measurement tells operators how much water is moving through a pipe. AquaMaster+ extends that information into a wider network context by combining fleet-level views with device-level diagnostics.

ABB says the platform can display flow and pressure changes, equipment status and geographic information in one interface. This gives operators a better way to compare behavior across zones instead of reviewing individual instruments in isolation.

Leak Detection Depends on Patterns, Not One Measurement

Water loss is often difficult to identify because a leak may not produce an obvious alarm. The useful signal can be a gradual change in night flow, an unexpected pressure shift or a mismatch between adjacent measurement zones.

AquaMaster+ stores flow, pressure and event data so utilities can compare current conditions with previous operating patterns. That makes it easier to identify anomalies before they become visible failures.

This is similar to the broader data-context problem discussed in our manufacturing data connectivity analysis: raw measurements become more valuable when they are connected to location, equipment identity and operating context.

Virtual Flowmeters Support Scenario Modeling

One of the more interesting AquaMaster+ functions is support for virtual flowmeters. These software-defined measurement points allow utilities to model sections of a network and compare simulated scenarios with actual conditions.

That can help engineering teams evaluate pressure changes, distribution strategies and potential leak locations without adding a physical meter at every analytical point.

Remote Configuration Reduces Field Visits

Remote configuration and fleet management can also reduce the number of site visits required for routine adjustments. For geographically distributed water systems, that can shorten response time and reduce travel costs.

Remote access does not eliminate the need for field inspection, but it can help teams determine which locations genuinely require on-site work.

AquaMaster4 Remains the Measurement Foundation

ABB AquaMaster flowmeters provide the physical measurements behind many of these analytics. The devices measure water flow in real time and are designed for low-flow conditions where leak detection becomes difficult.

Automation World reports that the meters can measure at flow velocities below 0.1 m/s. That low-flow capability is useful because leakage can be most visible during periods of reduced demand.

What Utilities Should Evaluate Before Deployment

• Existing meter coverage and communication availability
• Whether pressure data is available at useful network points
• Data quality across different meter generations
• How alarms and anomalies will be assigned to field teams
• Cybersecurity controls for remote access and configuration
• Integration requirements with GIS, SCADA or existing analytics platforms

Smart water management works best when instrumentation, communications and operational response are designed together. A cloud platform can identify patterns, but utilities still need clear workflows for verification, repair and follow-up.

Source Information

Original publication: Automation World, September 8, 2026
Source article: ABB Expands Smart Water Management With Platform For Leak Detection And Network Optimization
Source attribution: Automation World / ABB

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