Manchester City Puts Smart Water Tech in Play on the Pitch

At City Football Academy, Xylem Vue – a digital water platform – uses connected sensors and smart meters to deliver live insights into how water moves across the training facility. Showing exactly when and where water is being used or lost across the 16.5-pitch campus, the system helps the Club make smarter decisions to optimize irrigation and reduce reliance on public water sources.

Natural grass pitches use up to 23,000 liters of water per day in peak summer.¹ Manchester City has long been committed to sustainable water practices, using harvested rainwater and recycling for irrigation across the Etihad Stadium. This innovative reuse strategy has already saved more than 50 million liters of potable water, and the Club is on track to cut its use in half by the end of this year.

“This new system will give us a clear picture of how water moves across the site – not just how much we use, but where it comes from and where it goes,” said Pete Bradshaw, Director of Sustainability at Manchester City. “These insights will help us make smarter decisions every day. Our goal is to capture and reuse 100% of stormwater runoff on site by mid-2026, and we’re well on our way.”

“This is smart water in action,” said Jaime Barba, Head of Xylem Vue. “With connected data and real-time insights, Manchester City is making every drop count – saving water, using it more wisely, and protecting supply for the local community. It’s a scalable model for urban water management.”

This latest project marks a milestone in the Club’s ongoing collaboration with Xylem, reflecting years of shared focus on innovation – including engaging fans to take action on water sustainability. Through its “Play Smart” campaign, developed in partnership with Xylem and launched in 2024, the Club is raising fan awareness of water challenges and encouraging fans to adopt smart, water-saving behaviors at home.

¹ https://www.access-irrigation.co.uk/guides-advice/watering-a-football-pitch/