APPLICATION OF ACOUSTIC SURVEY METHODS FOR LEAKAGE DETECTION AND REDUCTION IN COMPLEX WATER SUPPLY NETWORKS WITH NO AREA FLOW METERING

摘要

Acoustic methods have been used extensively in the last decades as means of locating leaks in water distribution networks. The advances of technology have provided us with electronic tools that highly enhance the traditional acoustic methods and multiply their efficiency and accuracy. In the recent years the use of acoustic loggers deployed on network fittings which record leak noise at fixed times during the night has enabled the application of leakage surveillance strategies at problematic areas or even total sweeps of a water distribution network. As most applications of this technology have taken place in systems of good condition and advanced operational structure, mainly in the UK, little research has taken place regarding the applicability and efficiency of such systems in different environments. Key parameters that need to be taken further into consideration include the complexity of the network in conjunction with the reliability of available mapping, the lack of established zones with respective flow metering and the effect of unfavourable noise logging conditions such as the existence of high background noise. This paper presents a large-scale application of acoustic survey methods for leak detection in the water distribution system of Thessaloniki, which incorporates the characteristics set above. Results and on field experience gained during this application are analysed in order to examine the efficiency of the acoustic logging technology and the employed methodology of application.