7/19/2017 Leakage Control

Leakage Control
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Leakage Control
Compiled by: Florian Faure (seecon international gmbh),
M.M. Pandit (Indian Water Works
Association, IWWA), Dorothee Spuhler
(seecon international gmbh)

Water leakage is an important component of water losses. Many

methods for controlling leakage from urban water supply systems have
emerged, but it remains a challenge in developing countries, especially
those with intermittent water supplies. Specific methods have been
developed for such systems, used in combination with adaptations of
more usual methods.

Introduction
Leaks are the major component of water loss in developed countries. This is not always true for developing countries,
but it remains an important factor of water wastage. Illegal connections, metering and accounting errors as well as
pricing issues should be addressed in priority, but leakage control remains an effective tool for limiting water losses.

Non-revenue water expressed as percentage of the total produced volume of drinking water in major Asian cities (up to 65%, with an average of
30%). Non-revenue water is a major issue in developing countries, seriously undermining efforts to develop sustainable water supply systems.
Source: MCINTOSH (2003)

Process and Basic Principles

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As an example of the main factors affecting leakage: the more pressure in the main the more leakage, as shown by the continuous line. Source: WAA
et al. (1985)

A water system includes intakes, water pipelines, storage reservoirs and pumps. Once the water enters the system at
the intakes from the source, pumps provide energy to convey the water through the pipelines to storage reservoirs from
which it is distributed to consumers. Pipelines are formed of multiple pipes with joints and leakage generally occurs
where the pipe joints are faulty or where defects develop in the pipe body. The longer leaks remain unattended the
larger the economic and resource loss will be to the authorities, as electric power to run the pumps and chemicals to
treat water are also wasted. Pressure in mains, water hammers, soil instability, corrosion of water pipes, poor quality
of fittings, traffic loading, age of components are some of the main factors affecting leakage. Leakage control work
involves the following major step.

Leakage control work involves the following major steps:

1. Preparatory work: updating maps, databases of consumer connections, residing population, water mains,
valves and fire hydrants etc.; planning of activities.
2. Test for loss assessment and locating the defects (leak detection).
3. Repair and replacement of system components.
4. Re-assessment, several times if needed.
5. Program monitoring.
6. Build up procedures and standardised activities applied to the considered system.
7. Training of staff, including training of trainers and updating.

Leak Detection

Major leaks can be visible on the surface: these have to be fixed in priority. It is the first and most import step of leaks
control in developing countries. Purchasing leak detection instruments is an approach typical of developed countries,
but not necessarily the most adapted one for developing countries (FARLEY 2001, MCINTOSH 2003). Leakage assessment
uses various techniques such as district and/or wastage metering, pressure control, sounding or passive leakage control
for continuous supply. For intermittent supply, the mobile tanker, stop tap, or district meter methods as well as
pressure, sounding or passive leakage controls can be used. The selection of a method has to be based on local
conditions and resources (see also FARLEY 2001 for the description of most methods and their applicability).

Continuous Supply Systems

It is common in continuous supply systems to measure district flow at night and find a minimum, known as minimum
night flow. For cost-effective work, district metering is typically done for 2000 to 5000 properties; waste metering is
typically done for about 1000 to 3000 properties. These methods are now well established and have been well
documented. However, specific reference books / manuals need to be consulted for the adaptation of these methods to
intermittent supply.

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District metering areas (DMA) design options, and metering hierarchy. Source FARLEY (2001)

Using electronic instruments, noise detection principles can be applied by listening to the pipelines and filtering
external noises, amplifying the leak-noise of certain frequency range to detect and pin-point the leaks. Advanced state-
of-the-art instruments such as electronic sounding rods, multi-frequency leak locators, leak noise correlators or noise
loggers also exist. Depending on the chosen technique, instruments may be combined. For continuous supply systems
properly metered (usually those of developed countries), software packages such as BABE (Burst & Background
Estimates) help assessing the annual volume lost for different categories of leaks, depending on their average duration.

Intermittent Supply Systems

For intermittent supply systems, the mobile tanker method has been developed. A small main stretch (typically 100
connections and 400 to 500 meters) is isolated and fed under pressure during non-supply hours, long enough to measure
leak flows and locations. Boundary valves and consumer connections are closed. The line supplying the injection point
from the tanker contains a meter with a pulsehead, a pressure transducer and a data logger that records pressure and
flow (FARLEY & TROW 2003; CPHEEO 2005). A direct measure of leakage, otherwise difficult to locate during short
supply hours, can be obtained. The method has been used at large scales in the metropolitan cities of Chennai,
Hyderabad, Ahemdabad (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal).

Establishment of the mobile tanker method, with the instruments and their configuration. Source: CPHEEO (2005).

The mobile tanker method is one of the most cost-effective methods: it requires little material and manpower, and
does not need installed consumer meters or district meters. Work does not need to be repeated as small stretches are
isolated for testing purpose and all defects can be found and repaired within each part.

Another method for intermittent supplies is the stop tap method (adapted from FARLEY 2001): boundary valves and
customer's connections stop taps are closed. A special supply is arranged from the nearest water distribution station,
and the water flow is directly metered through the test area. Basic leak detection equipment is then used to locate the
leak points. The main problem with this method, as compared to the mobile tanker method, is the need to divert water
supplies to the test area. It also wastes a lot of water, lost at the leak points during the test, and has to be repeated as
only a few leaks are detected each time.
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Operation and Maintenance

Leakage control is a regular maintenance activity and needs to be given priority, and to be included in the routine
maintenance activities by establishing a separate department dedicated to it. Reporting by this department should also
include the cost of water saved and the cost of the implemented program. Zonal caretakers reporting to O&M
(operation and maintenance, see also (see also water distribution and [1879water purification])) supervisors can be
efficient in the follow-up of water leaks and other losses, if familiar enough with the water network and the inhabitants
of each zone (MCINTOSH 2003).

Health Aspects

In intermittent supply systems, leak points become likely entrances for contamination as pipelines are not under
pressure outside supply hours: locating leaks and repairing them helps closing the contamination-prone areas of the
water pipeline network and improves the safety of the water.

Applicability
All piped networks are subject to leaks and should be controlled. Maximum leakage occurs on pipelines from which
consumer connections are laid, caused for example by faulty joints or corroded ferrule joints. Due to the large time
span between occurrence of underground leakage on such pipelines and the repair, water lost due to the underground
leak-flows exceeds by far the water lost due to bursts from larger pipelines. An efficient routine maintenance can lead
to substantial resource and financial savings. Each method has its own applicability; as an example, the mobile tanker
method is applicable on pipelines up to diameters of 150 mm (general size in urban area), especially that of
intermittent supply systems.

Advantages
Detecting leaks helps saving water resources, costs and energy
More water is available to consumers and can be billed
Water recontamination after centralised treatment is less likely to happen in the pipes

Disadvantages
Conventional leak detection equipment is often expensive and more adapted methods have to be chosen in
developing countries
Leaks are only a small part of non-revenue water in developing countries
Governance and pricing must be a priority in water supply management
Some of the leak detection methods involve interruption of the supply leading to consumers dissatisfaction

References
CPHEEO (Editor) (2005): Chapter 15. Water Audit and Leakage Control. In: CPHEEO (Editor) (2005): Manual on Operation and Maintenance of Water
Supply Systems. New Delhi, 343-368. URL [Accessed: 02.06.2010].

FARLEY, M.; TROW, S. (2003): Losses in Water Distribution Networks. A Practitioners Guide to Assessment, Monitoring and Control. London: IWA
Publishing.

FARLEY, M. (2001): Leakage Management and Control. A best Practice Manual. Geneva: World Health Organisation (WHO). URL [Accessed:
26.05.2010].

MCINTOSH, A.C. (2003): Asian Water Supplies. Reaching the Urban Poor. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Water Association (IWA).
URL [Accessed: 26.07.2010].

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NEPAL WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION (Editor); TATA CONSULTING ENGINEERS (Editor); CEMAT CONSULTANTS (PVT) LTD (Editor); ENTEC OPERATIONAL
SERVICES (Editor) (1995): Nepal: Leak Detection and Waste Control Program. Seminar proceedings.

PANDIT, M.M. (1990): Innovative Approach to Leakage Control in Intermittent Supply Systems. In: TCE News Quarterly XI 46.

SIDHAYE, V.M. (1987): Leak Detection and Waste Prevention in Water Distribution Systems. Mumbai: Indian Water Works Association.

TATA CONSULTING ENGINEERS (Editor); BINNIE & PARTNERS (Editor); THAMES WATER AUTHORITIES ABBREVIATIONS (Editor) (1992): Study on Reduction
in Unaccounted for Water in Madras City.

WAA (Editor); WRC (Editor) (1985): Leakage Control Policy and Practice. London: Water Authorities Association (WAA), Water Research Centre (WRC),
Technical Working Group on Waste Water. URL [Accessed: 16.08.2010].

For further readings, case studies, awareness raising material, training material, important weblinks or the related
powerpoint presentation, see www.sswm.info/taxonomy/term/

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