Nextdrop: Automated leak detection that stops “wet bandits” before they strike

A running toilet. A tap left open. A hidden pipe leak that starts on Friday evening and quietly runs all weekend. The timing is always wrong — and the consequences can be expensive: a shocking water bill, disrupted operations, and in the worst cases, structural damage that requires costly repairs.

That’s exactly the kind of risk Nextdrop s.r.o. tackles with a smart water control system designed for automated leak detection and incident prevention.

Agile pilot in Pilsen: technology tested in real buildings

In the Czech Republic, Nextdrop carried out an agile pilot together with Město Plzeň and Techmania Science Center to validate how real-time monitoring and intelligent alerts can help facility teams intervene fast — before small incidents turn into major problems.

How the solution works

Nextdrop’s system focuses on continuous, actionable insight:

• Real-time monitoring of water consumption

• Trend analysis and clear data visualisation

• Automatic identification and reporting of irregularities

• Immediate alerts to facility management to enable rapid intervention

What the pilot demonstrated

During 3 months of testing, the pilot delivered measurable outcomes:

• 11 leaks detected and stopped

• Average water loss per incident: ~10 liters per minute of drinking water

• Unresolved leak costs can reach EUR 100 per day — often comparable to a building’s typical daily water bill

• Estimated payback period: 1–2 years

The message is straightforward: prevention is cheaper than damage control.

More than a pilot: an educational “live model” at Techmania

What made this project stand out in the PilotInnCities portfolio was its educational dimension. Partners developed an interactive exhibit at Techmania, using the science centre building as a live model to show visitors how water (and energy) management works in practice — and why data matters.

Public perception: awareness is there — data literacy still lags

The pilot also surfaced a critical gap in everyday water management:

• 80% of people consider water management personally important

• 90%+ say they try to save water

• Yet 65% have no idea what their actual consumption is

Awareness exists. Data literacy doesn’t — yet. Bridging this gap is essential if we want to treat water as the scarce resource it is.

Want to catch leaks early in your building?

If you’re looking to identify “wet bandits” before they cause damage, connect with the partners behind this agile pilot:

Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic • CzechInvest • BIC Plzeň (Business Innovation Centre) • PINE | Plzeňský inovační ekosystém • Gatum Group