Pressure-Dependent Leakage Detection Method Compared with Conventional Techniques

Various techniques have been developed for leakage detection. A relatively new approach pressuredependent leakage detection (PDLD) has been developed as a modeling tool for identifying the leakage hotspots within the same framework as hydraulic model calibration. PDLD represents a leak as an emitter flow, the leakage detection model searches for emitter locations and coefficients such that the difference between the simulated and observed values (pressures and flows) is minimized. Two case studies, one in Thailand and the other in the UK, have been undertaken by using the PDLD method together with step-testing and acoustic noise logging devices, respectively. The results obtained with PDLD are compared with both device-based methods. The studies illustrate that the PDLD method is effective at identifying leakage hotspots regardless of pipe material and proves to be practical and useful for assisting the engineer to quickly find leaks in large water distribution systems.