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Leak Detection And Leak Detector How-Tos
Author : AJ Cosens
Utilities have some very real water loss issues, and effective, affordable and aggressive leak detection tools and systems are very much lacking. After all, water utilities in this country cannot account for more than 6 billion gallons of water per day.
So where is this water going? Is the loss due to metering errors? Billing errors? Is it because if leakage?
Water Loss And The Leak Detection Puzzle:
A common question, “How much is it leaking?” The answer to that question can be a mystery. So let’s begin by taking a look at a very simple method to solve the water loss puzzle. This puzzle has definable pieces.
Earlier this decade, in the Journal AWWA published an article. That article introduced our industry to a new method for auditing and of identifying leakage as the grand piece of the Puzzle. Use the following formula:
Water Production (or Purchases) – Water Sales = Non-Revenue Water.
Non-Revenue Water = The Puzzle.
This puzzle has 3 pieces:
1. Un-billed, authorized use (normal cost of business water);
2. Apparent losses(i.e. meter and billing errors, theft); and
3. Real losses - leaking and overflow.
Establishing Your Leak Detection Program:
When selecting the right leak detection technology and methodology, you will want to consider which will be the most cost-effective and which will most help you in reaching your baseline UARL.
There are two choices: One choice for metallic lines and one for non-metallic.
Leak Detection For Non-Metal Systems:
Noise is made by a pipe leak. You could create a single entry point for the flow but defining individual isolated "zones" and creating one entry point for the flow. Exposing the main and measuring the flow into the zone can assist with identifying an area with high flow and potential leakage. Then every meter connection, hydrant and valve can be surveyed by acoustic means.
Detection of high flow zones can be done by what is called "squeaking the valve", shutting it for a few minutes, allowing any leaks in the zone to run, and then re-opening it slowly to a ¼ turn-size opening. A vibrating value key with doesn't stop vibrating means there is a leak in that zone. Lack of a problem would be indicated by the valve key vibrating for only a short duration. And more recently, technology has developed an instrument that is an underground pipe locator, named "The Innspector 07". This is sort of Star Trek style technology capable of locating pipe of any material buried up to 25ft under ground.
Permanent pits have been created by some utilities for measuring, as part of an effective measure of leak detection.
Leak Detection For Metallic Pipes:
An acoustic leak detection survey will be faster to perform on metallic lines than using district measurements will. Larger cities with aging infrastructure are often the ones who will use DMAs (District Metered Areas). DMAs cost more to use.
Aside from that, measuring DMA’s is a time-consuming, error-prone process frequently requiring corp stops, insertion meters or pilot rods, and multiple taps, and one still has to use acoustic leak detectors to isolate the location of the leak.
Many detectors and technologies are used today in acoustic leak detection.
For information on the types of acoustic leak detectors which exists today, be sure to see the resource area and follow the links below.
Author's Resource Box
The preceding posted by A J Cosens, from knowledge provided by water loss and leak detection expert and industry authority Bud Reed. Find additional material management of utility water loss and leak detection methodology and current technology simply follow the links above.
Article Source:
Articlebliss
Tags: water loss, leak detection, leak detectors, water utilities
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Submitted : 2010-07-15 Word Count : 632 Popularity: 108 Times Viewed: 12
