Leak detection and localization based on search space reduction and hydraulic modelling

Abstract

Reducing the cost and time required to isolateleakages occurring in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is the main taskfor resilientand sustainable management of these systems. Thepaper presents a systematicmodel-based leak detection and localization frameworkusing optimization. Theapproach prerequisites a well calibrated WDNhydraulic model. The leakage localization model splits into two stages: (a) the search reduction stage where the number of decision variables and the range of possible valuesare reduced, and (b) the leak detection and localization stage for isolating the fault. The leakage localizationmethod is formulated to optimize the leakage node locations and their associated emitter coefficients,such that the differences between the model predicted and the field observed values for pressure and flow are minimized. The optimization problem is solved by using a non sorting genetic algorithm. Areal case from a UK system is presented with the outcome showingthat the method reducesthe leak search space within 10% of the WDN, while contributing to earlier leakage hotspot detection and localization. The frameworkfor predicting leakage hotspots can be effective despite the recognized challenges of model calibration and the physical measurement limitations from the collected pressure and flow data.