In 2024, approximately 100 AFLX hydrant sensors were installed as a pilot study to evaluate their effectiveness in detecting system leaks. Over the course of that year,  leaks were detected, and the value of these sensors became clear.

In March 2025, the District received a $42,075 Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to expand on leak detection monitoring across the District’s distribution pipes in Dedham and Westwood.

With the grant funds, an additional 550 sensors were purchased and installed, allowing for the monitoring of the district’s distribution system.

It is anticipated that the sensors will reduce the percentage of produced water that is lost or unaccounted for and decrease the time it takes to discover a leak from months to weeks. The technology can potentially reduce the number of emergency breaks and inform planned excavations during daylight and regular business hours. This has implications of potentially increasing safety for workers and reducing the length of service disruptions.