15 January 2026
Waterwise and Watergate today announce that Watergate Sonic has become the first product in the UK to achieve Smart Drop UK certification, marking a major milestone for independent verification of water-saving technology.
Smart Drop is an independent certification scheme managed by The Water Conservancy in Australia and delivered in the UK in partnership with Waterwise, the country’s leading authority on water efficiency.
It recognises products that demonstrate proven ability to support long-term water efficiency and is designed to accelerate adoption of effective water-saving products by giving decision-makers confidence that products have been robustly assessed and verified.
Watergate Sonic was independently assessed against Smart Drop’s criteria, including leak detection and prevention, water-saving potential, quality of user data and insights, and contribution to sustainable water management. Only technologies that demonstrate real-world impact and measurable benefits are awarded certification.
Watergate Sonic continuously monitors water flow, detects abnormal usage, and automatically shuts off the water supply when a leak is identified. By preventing leaks rather than simply alerting users after damage has occurred, Sonic helps reduce unnecessary water loss while protecting homes and buildings from costly water damage.
With water demand rising, infrastructure under increasing pressure, and billions of litres lost to leaks each day, independent certification plays a growing role in helping households, businesses, property managers and insurers identify solutions that genuinely save water.
Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, said:
“We know we need to use water more efficiently in the UK, and independent certification has a crucial role to play in helping credible solutions to stand out. Watergate becoming the first product to achieve Smart Drop UK certification is a significant milestone. Their Sonic product shows how smart, well-designed technology can stop small leaks from becoming major problems, while also helping customers, whether at home or at work, to better understand and reduce their water use. Being Smart Drop certified provides clear, evidence-based assurance that products deliver genuine water-saving benefits, and sets an important benchmark for innovation in the UK market.”
Chris Philpot, CEO of The Water Conservancy, said:
“Smart Drop certification is designed to recognise technologies that deliver real, measurable water savings and tackle leakage at source. Watergate Sonic stood out for its ability to detect and prevent leaks early, provide meaningful insights to users, and support long-term water efficiency across homes and buildings.”
For Watergate, the certification validates its focus on prevention-first water management and supports wider adoption across residential, commercial and property sectors.
Krystian Zajac, CEO and founder of Watergate, said:
“Becoming the first Smart Drop certified product in the UK is an important milestone for us. It independently confirms that Watergate Sonic does what it is designed to do: prevent leaks, reduce water waste, and protect properties. As water scarcity becomes a bigger issue, trusted certification like Smart Drop helps customers and partners choose solutions that genuinely make a difference.”
Notes to editors:
About the Watergate Sonic smart valve
Watergate Sonic is a smart, ultrasonic water monitoring and leak prevention system designed to protect both homes and buildings from water damage and waste. Installed directly on the incoming water supply, Sonic uses highly sensitive ultrasonic sensors to detect even the smallest drips and abnormal flow patterns in real time. When a leak is identified, Sonic can automatically shut off the water to prevent damage before it escalates.
Sonic works seamlessly with Watergate’s free app, giving homeowners and building managers clear visibility of water use, instant alerts, and control from anywhere. Proven results show water savings of up to 68% in commercial real estate and up to 25% in homes. Unlike many alternatives, Sonic includes battery backup to remain operational during power outages and supports local control, making it suitable for integration with smart home and building systems such as Home Assistant.
Key benefits:
- AI-driven leak detection – Ultrasonic sensing combined with intelligent analysis detects hidden leaks and inefficiencies, while being less prone to false alarms from small or irregular usage patterns.
- Real-time monitoring and insights – Continuous visibility of water use through the free Watergate app helps users understand consumption, reduce waste, and improve operational performance.
- Automatic shut-off for damage prevention – Sonic can automatically stop water flow when a leak is detected, protecting properties from costly water damage and disruption.
About Waterwise
Waterwise is the UK’s leading independent voice on water efficiency, working to drive water-saving across society through work in policy, research, innovation and public engagement. Uniquely placed at the heart of the UK water efficiency community, our vision is that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone. We work with organisations, individuals and communities to lead and inspire change so that water is never wasted.
Waterwise is happy to take press enquiries or interviews. Please contact chris.scullion@waterwise.org.uk
