Water Networks Get Smarter as Monitoring Scales Up

ADS and Core & Main expand access to monitoring across water systems, pushing utilities toward smarter, lower risk infrastructure upgrades

13 Jan 2026

US utilities are paying closer attention to how they monitor stormwater, wastewater and drinking water networks, as heavier rainfall and ageing infrastructure raise operational and financial risks. A new reseller partnership between ADS Environmental Services and Core & Main reflects that shift, expanding access to real-time monitoring tools across municipal systems nationwide.

Many cities and counties still operate drainage and collection networks with limited visibility during peak weather events. The absence of timely data often forces reactive responses, turning routine storms into service disruptions and costly emergency work. Technologies long used in wastewater management are now being assessed more broadly, including for stormwater, as utilities seek earlier warnings and more reliable information for planning.

The agreement between ADS and Core & Main addresses a barrier that has slowed wider adoption, procurement at scale. ADS develops equipment that measures water levels and flows across networks, while Core & Main is one of the largest distributors serving municipal water, wastewater and drainage markets. By placing monitoring tools within established supply channels, the companies are positioning data systems as part of standard infrastructure upgrades rather than optional add-ons.

The move comes as utilities face tighter budgets and rising climate-related risks. Industry specialists say performance data is increasingly used to guide investment decisions, helping utilities identify where spending delivers the greatest benefit, improve responses during extreme weather and support long-term asset management. Monitoring is not replacing traditional capital projects, but is increasingly used to justify and prioritise them.

Funding pressures are also shaping demand. Public infrastructure and resilience programmes now often require evidence of outcomes, system performance and measurable risk reduction. Consistent monitoring data can strengthen applications for limited capital and grant funding by demonstrating how projects reduce exposure to failure or flooding.

Executives behind the partnership say its aim is to broaden access and speed adoption through Core & Main’s municipal reach. The wider message for the sector is that technology alone is not enough. Scale depends on trusted distribution, service support and integration with existing practices.

Operational challenges remain, including ongoing maintenance, staff capacity and translating data into action. Even so, the partnership suggests network monitoring is moving closer to the mainstream, offering utilities a more practical route to proactive and lower-risk infrastructure management.