A simple method to determine leakage location in water distribution based on pressure profiles

Abstract

Abstract. Nowadays, the pipeline leak is a serious problem for water distributions in big cities and the government that needs action and a great solution. Several techniques have been developed to improve the accuracy, the limitation of losses, and decrease environmental damage. However, these methods need highly costs and complexity equipment. This paper presents a simple method to determine leak location with the gradient intersection method calculations. A simple water distribution system have been built on PVC pipeline along 4m, diameter 15mm and 12 pressure sensors which placed into the pipeline. Each sensor measured the pressure for each point and send the data to microcontroller. The artificial hole was made between the sixth and seventh of sensor. With three holes, the system calculated and analyzed the leak location with error 3.67%.