water loss control using
TRANSCRIPT
Water Loss Control using –High Quality Leak Detection with
Non-Invasive Pipe Line Assessment;Verifying Pipeline Integrity and Reducing Non-Revenue Water
Reduce Risk & Non Revenue Water Michael Simpson – CEO
Agenda
1. Distribution System Leak Detection Technology
2. Value of Transmission Pipe Leak Detection Survey
3. Transmission Pipe Leak Detection Technology (Non-Invasive)
4. Acoustic Pipe Condition Assessment + Leak Detection (Non-
Invasive)
Water Loss Control
WaterImported
OwnSources
TotalSystemInput
( allowfor
knownerrors )
TotalSystemInput
(allowfor
knownerrors)
WaterSupplied
WaterExported
WaterSupplied
WaterExported
WaterLosses
AuthorizedConsumption
WaterLosses
AuthorizedConsumption
RealLosses
ApparentLosses
UnbilledAuthorized
Consumption
BilledAuthorized
Consumption
Non-Revenue
Water
RevenueWater
Leakage & Overflows at Storage
Billed Unmetered Consumption
Billed Metered Consumption
Billed Water Exported
Leakage on Service Lines(before the meter)
Leakage on Mains
Customer Metering & Data Inaccuracies
Unauthorized Consumption
Unbilled Unmetered Consumption
Unbilled Metered Consumption
Start hereMove this direction
IWA/AWWA Standard Water Balance
Unaccounted For Water
Unaccounted For Water
Percentage
2003Inconsistent use and interpretation
Unreliable indicator of performance
Fails to segregate loss into its components for effective management
Simplicity
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.- Albert Einstein
For every complex problem, there is a solution which is simple, neat and wrong.- H.L. Mencken
M36: Water Audits & Loss Control Programs
How to Get the Free AWWA Water Audit Softwar
Go to awwa.orgSelect Water Loss Control Committee from the
Resource and Tools menu Scroll down the Water Loss Control Committee
page and select AWWA Water Loss Control Committee Free Water Audit SoftwareWhen spreadsheet appears execute a “save as” to
place a copy in your own system
Why NRW Strategic Planning?Droughts – Shortages can occurWater infrastructure is
deterioratingDeclining water demand
squeezes utility financesRegulations taking shapeGuidance exists, but
improvements and integration needed
Leak Detection
We will be covering
Why address leaks quicklyLeak detection technologiesLeak detection strategiesSelecting the appropriate
strategy and equipment
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Photo courtesy M.E. Simpson Co.
Small/hidden leaks are often the largest water l
Constant flow of low-level leaks causes more water loss than spectacular water main breaks. hayscountyscoop.blogspot.com
Do the math• 5-gpm leak running
100 days = 720,000 gallons• 500-gpm leak running
4 hours = 120,000 gallons
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Economic level of leakage
A utility should not spend much more on leak detection than it will recover in reduced costs.
Different leak detection techniques require different investment of time and money.
Different leak detection techniques can provide different levels of leak detection.
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The value of waterEXAMPLE: For the utility with 100 gpm of avoidable leakage
that it can eliminate per year, what happens if cost of water • $0.25/1000 (groundwater) cost $29,900• $0.50/1000 (surface water) cost $35,200• $2.50/1000 (purchased water) cost $64,000
What if the community is experiencing water shortages, would this change the response? What if the water utility needs the water to serve a potential
new customer – and would be costing the retail rate versus using the production rate
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The Science of Leak Noise
The Science of Leak Noise
Water exiting a pipe causes the pipe and water to vibrate within a specific range of frequencies.Noise frequency is a function of severity of the
leak, pipe material, pipe size, distance, and point of contact.Today’s leak detection equipment can filter,
amplify, and convey data graphically.
Characteristics of Leak NoiseSize (and type of pipe)matters
Small leaks tend to vibrate at higher frequencies; large leaks at lower frequencies. Larger pipe will not carry sound as far as smaller
pipe made of the same material.Leaks from metal pipe generate more noise that
travels farther than leaks from cement or plastic pipes.Transitions in pipe materials (clamps and
couplings) muffle leak noise.
Leak Noise Characteristics Everyday vibrations (e.g., traffic, HVAC and electrical
equipment) make noise make distinguishing leaks difficult.Continuous customer water use
generates similar sound.Humans hear from 1 -80 db (greater than 80 db will
damage hearing) ; Leak noise runs about 10-250 db.
Leak Detection Technologies
Listening• Point contact survey• Correlation• Acoustic monitors
Other detection equipment
Tools of the Trade
Leak noise correlator
Overnight Logger correlators
Listening Devices
Acoustic Detection Strategies
Leak surveys Continuous acoustic monitoringDistrict metering
Photo courtesy of Echologics
Leak SurveysMake contact with elements in system (valves, hydrants, meter
boxes/curb stops) and listen for acoustic signatures of leaksDone on a periodic basis with
frequency dependent on the system and staff Increase frequency in leak-prone areas
Photo courtesy New Jersey American Water
Manned Nighttime Surveys
Nighttime listening operation implemented to reduce real water use, noise, trafficNighttime listening operation makes program
costlier and dangerous to surveyorFinding sufficient number of contact points can
be a challenge at night
Leak Survey Issues:Internal Staff vs. External Expert
There are capable consultants but results and satisfaction may vary.
Internal operation justified when leaks are frequent and staff is used at different intervals to pinpoint leaks.
Leak Noise CorrelatingVibration travels at known speeds in pipes of specific
material and size (important to know distances, diameters and materials of pipe).
Place sensors on either side of suspected leak location. If a leak is not between sensors, the instrument will help you move to right place.
Sensors listen simultaneously and deliver the data to a receiving microprocessor (PC)
PC displays a profile of the leak noise and provides a location for the leak
CorrelationThe closer to one sensor, the greater the time delay from the
second sensor
Illustration courtesy of National Research Council of Canada
Illustration courtesy New Jersey American
L1 = L2 +V x Td, L1 = (D- V x Td)/2
Pinpointing a LeakWater will take the path of least resistance
• Leaks don’t always surface (especially the small, constant or slowly increasing leaks)
• May surface far away from the leak• Leaks may occur in places difficult to access
(e.g., under a stream, highway or wetland)Pinpointing a leak saves money in repair
costs (size of excavation, restoration cost)
Leak Detection
Known Leaks – (emergency call outs, scheduled leaks)
Unknown Leaks – (found during surveys)
Large Diameter Leak Detection
Pipes Leak Before they Structurally Fail
Leak Before Structural Failure
Analysis Can Suggest Leakage Before Failure
May Leak Before Structural Failure
Welded Steel PCCP - LCP PCCP - ECP
Bar Wrapped Pipe Asbestos Cement
Ductile Iron Pipe Cast Iron
Riveted Steel
Pipes Leak Before they Structurally Fail
Pipes Leak Before they Structurally Fail
Target Pro-active Leak Surveys Based on Consequence of Failure
Target Pro-active Leak Surveys Based on Consequence of Failure
IL Rte. 176 & I-94 (Lambs Farm)
2,026ft 48” PCCP from A to B (2,032 ft. Field measurement)
Connection Point A: AR 23 (Air Release with 2” gate Valve) Node 379
Connection Point B: AR22 (Air Release with 2” gate Valve) Node 316
What Frequency of Inspection is Appropriate?
Non-Invasive Leak Detection: Designed For Transmission Pipes
EchoShore-M: Transmission Pipe Leak Survey Node
Acoustic Sensor Install
Non-Invasive Leak Detection: Designed For Transmission Pipes
Programmable Data Capture• Programming in the field or remotely• Time-synced acoustic data capture• Upload to central server for archiving• Results passed for local or remote analyst
Remote Analysis• Automated peak selection• Web-based reporting interface• Intermittent noise sources identified and
dismissed
Rapid Survey• One pack of nodes can monitor while
another pack is re-deployed• Survey an area for hours, days or weeks• Allows for rapid survey of long distances
Increased leak detection capability with decreased cost
~ Half Mile
Transmission Pipe Leak Detection: Example
Transmission Pipe Leak Detection: Example
18521 Belvidere Road Grayslake, IL
1707 ft. 30” PCCP from A to B (Field Measurement 1,675 ft.)
Connection Point A: AR 105 (Air release with 2” gate Valve) Node 316
Connection Point B: AR 106 (Air release with 2” gate Valve) Node 379
Transmission Pipe Leak Detection: Example
Transmission Pipe Leak Detection: Example
Well Service Company was flushing and running well at time of recording. This was initially believed to be causing a noise spike, however after Velocity test was done and corrected. Noise source was determined to be LCPW pump house just east of location.
EchoShore-M Results in Malaysia
Acoustic Condition Assessment with Leak Detection
Leak Detection with Acoustic Condition Assessme
• Pro-Active Approach
• Non-Invasive Approach
• Determining what pipes to replace
• Reducing Non-Revenue Water
Target Your Pipe Replacement & Rehab Investme
Acoustic Pipe Condition Assessment Offers the Following:
1. Leak Detection Included
2. Confirmation of Desktop Model
Results
3. Identification of Poor Condition Pipe
4. Validation of Appropriate
Rehabilitation Options
Acoustic Condition Assessment Technology Implementation
1. Measure Speed of Sound Through Specific Pipe Segments
2. Back Calculate the Average Pipe Wall Thickness
Acoustic Condition Assessment: Method of Action
Acoustic Condition Assessment: Method of Action
Acoustic Condition Assessment: Method of Action
Taking Action based on the Results1023m
(7%)
11936m(74%)
3093m(19%)
Non-Structural Clean & Line
Structural Cure in Place Pipe
Cost: ~ $110/ftCost: $120 - 190/ft
Change in Hoop Thickness Description Colour Code
Less than 10% Good Green
10% to 30% Moderate Yellow
Greater than 30% Poor Red
Acoustic Pipe Condition Assessment
Recap1. Water Loss Control is an operational issue with solutions
2. Pro-Active Distribution Leak Surveys
3. Large Pipes leak before failing catastrophically
4. Survey high consequence of failure transmission pipes for leaks to
manage RISK and NRW
5. Acoustic pipe condition assessment can improve the efficiency of
pipe investments with a bonus of finding leaks
