Paris Strikes Pioneering Pipeline Deal With Aganova

Paris teams with Aganova to inspect 8,000 km of pipelines, setting a new European standard for proactive water safety

26 Jun 2025

Paris is putting water security at the center of its future. The city's main utility, SEDIF, has signed a five-year agreement with Spanish firm Aganova to inspect nearly 8,000 kilometers of pipelines. That includes 800 kilometers of the giant mains that keep water flowing to millions of residents. It is one of Europe's most ambitious water safety programs to date.

Traditionally, leaks were fixed only after they caused visible damage. Paris wants to flip that script. Aganova's Nautilus system, a sensor that glides inside pipes and listens for weaknesses, can detect hidden leaks before they erupt. The process avoids digging up streets or cutting off service, which is vital in a dense, politically sensitive city.

For Aganova, the deal marks a turning point. The company calls it proof that proactive inspection is no longer a pilot project but an essential tool for protecting vital infrastructure. Regulators across Europe are pushing in the same direction, with stricter leakage targets and a new EU Water Resilience Strategy encouraging utilities to get ahead of problems.

The rewards could be substantial: fewer emergency breakdowns, less wasted water, and smarter spending on upgrades. But the risks are equally clear. Collecting data without acting on it could frustrate residents and undermine trust in the system. Experts warn that coordination and funding will be as critical as technology.

Even so, the mood is one of cautious optimism. Paris is betting that foresight, not patchwork repairs, is the future. If the plan works, it could protect the city's lifelines and inspire others across Europe to rethink how they manage their most basic resource.