Statistical Water Bursts Monitoring in Water Distribution Systems

1. Introduction Water Distribution Systems (WDSs) capable of supplying a sufficient quantity of potable water are one of the key infrastructures for a modern sustainable city. The service quality of WDSs is closely related to water conservation and various detrimental disturbances in WDSs, such as pipe bursts and leaks, will result in significant water loss. World-widely, it is reported that 11% of the overall water produced is lost from water bursts [1]. In the U.S., as reported by the American Water Works Association, there is an average number of 270 water bursts in a WDS annually, and such water loss could have served about 0.26 million people in the nation [2-3]. Figure 1 shows the water shortage prediction in 2050 [4]. As shown in the figure, Tucson and the state of Arizona in general, will face extreme water shortage in the future. Thus, water conservation should be achieved from different aspects and water bursts monitoring is one of these efforts. Effective and responsive water bursts monitoring will allow people take quick actions, such as maintenance and repairs, to WDSs and prevent further water loss.