Non-revenue water (NRW) loss continues to challenge municipal utilities across the country, driving up operational costs and accelerating infrastructure deterioration. At Schulte Supply, we help water systems take a proactive approach to leak detection by supporting proven smart water technologies that deliver real-world results.
A recent deployment of Orbis smart hydrant monitoring technology in Kansas City demonstrates just how effective these solutions can be — identifying more than 30 underground leaks that may have otherwise gone undetected for months.
The Challenge: Hidden Leaks in Aging Water Infrastructure
Kansas City’s water distribution system spans more than 2,300 miles of water main, much of it aging infrastructure buried deep underground. Like many municipalities, the utility faced persistent challenges locating small but costly leaks before they escalated into main breaks, service disruptions, or surface failures.
Traditional leak detection methods require significant labor and often rely on reactive responses. Utilities increasingly need continuous, real-time monitoring to detect issues early and prioritize repairs effectively.
Turning Fire Hydrants Into Smart Leak Detection Assets
To address these challenges, Kansas City deployed Orbis hydrant-mounted SmartCap sensors, converting standard fire hydrants into advanced acoustic leak detection points.
Installed by simply replacing the hydrant’s pumper nozzle cap, each Orbis SmartCap continuously listens for the unique sound signatures associated with pressurized water leaks. Data is securely transmitted to a cloud-based dashboard, where utility staff can quickly identify leak locations, severity levels, and trends across the distribution network.
Seamless Installation Without Operational Disruption
While leak detection performance is the primary value driver, another important advantage of Orbis SmartCap technology is how easily it integrates into existing infrastructure.
Because the technology is fully contained within a hydrant cap, any fire hydrant — wet barrel, dry barrel, or legacy — can be converted into a smart-enabled asset without excavation, piping modifications, or system shutdowns. Installation takes only minutes per hydrant and requires no specialized equipment.
Equally important, hydrants fitted with Orbis SmartCaps function exactly the same as standard hydrants. The devices do not restrict flow, pressure, or accessibility, and they can be removed instantly using a standard hydrant wrench. Fire crews can operate hydrants normally during emergency response, ensuring there are no fire safety or operational concerns.
This allows utilities to modernize their monitoring capabilities without impacting fire protection or field operations.
Measurable Results: Over 30 Leaks Identified
Since deploying approximately 150 Orbis SmartCap devices, Kansas City has detected and confirmed more than 30 leaks across its distribution system. These included small, non-surfacing leaks that traditionally would have gone unnoticed until far more water — and money — was lost.
Utility teams were able to prioritize repairs more effectively, reduce unnecessary field investigations, and deploy crews precisely where they were needed most.
Why Smart Hydrant Monitoring Matters
Smart hydrant technology delivers multiple operational benefits for water utilities:
- Early leak detection before visible failures occur
- Reduced non-revenue water losses
- Improved crew efficiency through accurate leak localization
- Scalable deployment across high-risk areas
- No disruption to fire protection systems
By using existing hydrants as monitoring points, utilities can gain system-wide visibility without costly retrofits or construction projects.
Supporting Smarter Water Systems with Schulte Supply
Schulte Supply works with municipalities, contractors, and utilities to deliver practical, field-proven solutions for modern water system challenges. From leak detection and pressure monitoring to core waterworks infrastructure products, we help customers improve reliability, reduce water loss, and extend asset life.
If your utility is exploring ways to reduce NRW and modernize monitoring without disrupting operations, Schulte Supply can help identify the right smart water technologies for your system.
Contact Schulte Supply today to learn more about smart hydrant monitoring and advanced water system solutions.
