Model-driven software tool for on-line leakage localization

This paper describes a model-driven decision-support system (software tool) implementing a model-based methodology for on-line leakage detection and localization which is useful for a large class of water distribution networks. Given that model-based leakage localization methods present a certain degree of complexity which limits their use to people with a high expertise in this modelling field, the proposed software tool focuses on the integration of a method of this type emphasizing its use by water network managers as a decision support system related to water networks without the need of having any special expertise in leakage localization models. The proposed software tool integrates a model-based leakage localization methodology which is based on the use of on-line telemetry information from a limited number of flow and pressure sensors, as well as a calibrated hydraulic model in a district meter area (DMA) of the water distribution network. The application of the resulting decision support software tool in a DMA of the Barcelona distribution network is provided and discussed.