The City of Phoenix announced on May 22 the expansion of its smart leak detection initiative to Fillmore Gardens, a city-operated affordable housing community. The program aims to reduce water waste, improve maintenance response times, and support long-term water sustainability goals by installing real-time toilet leak detection sensors.
The initiative brings together the City of Phoenix Water Services and Housing departments with partners from the Pacific Institute, Sensor Industries, and Target. These organizations are collaborating to install technology that identifies hidden toilet leaks in real time so maintenance teams can quickly address issues that might otherwise waste thousands of gallons annually.
Mayor Kate Gallego said, “Phoenix has built a national reputation for thoughtful water management and conservation, and this initiative demonstrates how simple fixes can create big water savings. We’re leveraging smart technology to fix leaks, reduce costs and protect our most precious resource. Every drop matters in the desert, and we’re proud to have private sector partners who understand the importance of investing in conservation.”
Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington added, “Water conservation is a shared responsibility, and partnerships like this help us deliver meaningful results for residents and the broader community. By identifying leaks earlier and improving maintenance efficiency, we are protecting valuable water resources while helping reduce unnecessary costs at our housing properties.”
According to project representatives, demonstrations showed how sensors connect to a digital platform capable of alerting staff when abnormal toilet behavior or potential leaks occur. Max Wilson, Water Resources Management Advisor for Phoenix Water Services Department said: “Small leaks can lead to significant water loss over time, especially across large multifamily housing communities. This technology allows us to detect problems quickly, respond faster, and prevent water from being wasted. It is a practical conservation tool that supports Phoenix’s larger efforts to ensure a sustainable and resilient water future.” The effort builds on an earlier pilot launched in 2023 at Sunnyslope Manor.
Toilet leaks remain among the leading causes of hidden indoor water waste in multifamily residential properties; according to the U.S. Geological Survey cited by officials during the event presentation—a single leaking toilet can waste thousands of gallons annually if undetected.
The Fillmore Gardens project is part of broader citywide efforts including investments in infrastructure upgrades as well as advanced purification planning designed for improved efficiency across all operations managed by both Water Services—serving about 1.7 million residents—and Housing Department programs which provide homes or assistance for more than 35,000 people.
