Conservation Labs Leverages Sound Technology to Identify Plumbing Problems

Sound Offers Insights into Water Management and Conservation

The sounds of water flowing through pipes—whether from washing machines, dishwashers, or toilets—can tell us a great deal about water usage and potential issues in residential and commercial properties. While the noises may seem insignificant, they form a distinct acoustic signature that can be analyzed using advanced algorithms and specialized hardware for preventive maintenance.

Known as acoustic detection, this technology isn't new; water authorities have employed acoustic sensors for years to identify leaks and monitor system health. However, a new wave of startups has emerged over the past decade, innovatively applying acoustic water detection in fresh ways.

One such startup is Conservation Labs, which has developed a water-listening sensor designed to be attached to plumbing in homes, apartments, and offices. This sensor employs an algorithm trained on water acoustics, converting pipe sounds into usage statistics, leak alerts, and conservation suggestions.

“The sensors can monitor individual units or entire buildings, providing remote visibility,” said Mark Kovscek, founder and CEO of Conservation Labs, in an email interview. “While there are various competitors focusing on leak detection or overall building consumption, our technology stands out by both identifying leaks and tracking water usage across any building and pipe system.”

Kovscek, who holds a degree in applied mathematics and industrial management from Carnegie Mellon University, was motivated to start Conservation Labs after experiencing significant leaks in his home.

“After the leaks, I searched for a product to monitor water usage and detect leaks, but found none that delivered value,” Kovscek explained. “I recognized that sound waves could reveal what was happening in the pipes, so I developed a prototype and filed a patent in 2016.”

Conservation Labs recently secured $7.5 million in a Series A funding round led by RET Ventures’ Housing Impact Fund, with participation from Sustain VC. Their sensors retail for $129, while subscriptions to their cloud-based monitoring service cost $36 per sensor yearly.

Kovscek claims that customers typically experience a 20% reduction in water usage post-installation of the sensors. However, similarly to many AI-driven products, assessing the technology's effectiveness requires thorough testing due to multiple variables influencing acoustic monitoring, such as water volume and pipe material.

To address these challenges, Kovscek emphasizes Conservation's commitment to rigorous development and continuous improvement. “General acoustic models are built with thousands of hours of data, and sensor-specific models are tailored to the unique environment they’re in,” he elaborated. “As the platform evolves and diversifies its use cases, it becomes smarter, faster, and more adaptable.”

Conservation Labs appears to be thriving, achieving annual recurring revenue in the "seven-digit" range in 2023, with a client base of approximately 150 companies. To diversify its offerings, the startup has also introduced a new line of sensors capable of monitoring industrial machinery for potential faults.

Numerous startups, including Noiseless Acoustics and OneWatt, harness AI-powered sensors to analyze industrial equipment patterns. Some have even ventured into using acoustic detection for identifying leaks in gas and oil pipelines.

Kovscek affirmed, “Our platform can pinpoint not just if a machine is failing, but also the likely cause—be it the motor belt, bearing issues, or unbalanced machinery—all using a single, low-cost microphone.”

While these claims are compelling, this information should be taken at face value until verified through direct testing.

With $9.5 million in venture capital backing, Conservation Labs aims to launch the second generation of its water monitoring sensor, expand its AI platform, and enhance its sales and marketing efforts. To support this growth, the Pittsburgh-based company plans to hire eight new employees, increasing its workforce from 22 to 30.

Kovscek commented, “The sustainability sector is enjoying several favorable trends, such as a push for operational efficiency, federal climate funding, regulatory incentives for water and energy monitoring, rising water costs, and growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products. Our focus remains on the future—this Series A funding demonstrates the strength of our offering, regardless of broader market conditions.”