Vibration monitoring as a tool for leak detection in water distribution networks

The control of water leaks in water distribution networks represents a critical issue for all utilities involved in drinking water supply. This paper deals with the detection of water leaks by using vibration monitoring techniques. The long-term objective is the development of a system for the automatic early detection of burst leaks in service pipes. An experimental campaign was started in order to measure vibrations transmitted through water pipes by real burst leaks occurring in an actual water supply network. The first experimental data were used for testing a prototypal algorithm for leak detection purpose, based on the calculation of the standard deviation of acceleration signals. The experimental campaign is here described and the results achieved by applying the algorithm are presented and discussed. The current algorithm exhibited satisfactory performances, with 10 of the 13 examined leaks being successfully detected.