Leakage localisation method in a water distribution system based on sensitivity matrix: methodology and real test

Abstract

Leaks are present in all water distribution systems. In this paper a method for leakage detection and localisation is presented. It uses pressure measurements and simulation models. Leakage localisation methodology is based on pressure sensitivity matrix. Sensitivity is normalised and binarised using a common threshold for all nodes, so a signatures matrix is obtained. A pressure sensor optimal distribution methodology is developed too, but it is not used in the real test. To validate this methodology it has been tested with a real situation in two District Management Areas (DMA) in Barcelona. This real test only allows validating the localisation part of the methodology. Some installed sensors in these DMA have been used. For one of these DMA historical data of a leakage period is used. In the other one a leakage has been forced.