Multiple Paths Leak Localization System in Water Distribution Network

Abstract

Leakage in water distribution network (WDN) systems is a worldwide issue with serious impacts such as loss of revenue, health, and environmental concerns. This work focuses on a new analysis technique based on analysis of multiple path signal correlation in localizing single leak in a WDN. The method solves multi-directional waves issue in a WDN and shorten the analysis time of the conventional method using time-correlation. A local WDN was explored and installed with a wireless sensor network of 6 hydrophones for field experiment. Leak signals collected from each sensor were processed and analyzed in collective through the multiple paths leak localization (MPLL) system. The estimation of leak location by the MPLL method was excellent with a low percentage of error. The potential of this method as a rapid and practical leak localization system was highlighted.