Field experience with pressure-based leakage characterisation of bulk water pipelines

ABSTRACT

A novel pressure-based leakage assessment and characterisation method was applied to a range of bulk pipelines in the field to evaluate the practical application of the method. With this method, the testing equipment, which consists of a variable speed pump unit, a water tank and measuring equipment, all mounted on a trailer, was connected to a bulk pipe which could be isolated. Flow was then introduced and regulated to maintain a range of set pressures, resulting in a pressure-leakage characteristic of the pipe. The test data was then interpreted using the modified orifice equation or FAVAD (Fixed and Varying Areas Discharges) concept. Fifteen pipes were assessed of which most showed significant or excessive leakage. By characterising the leakage of these pipes, useful information was obtained on the most likely leak types, sizes and possible locations. It was demonstrated that this is an effective, simple, quick and cost-effective leakage assessment method.

KEYWORDS:

• Distribution
• leakage
• urban water
• water supply

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Water Research Commission for funding the study and the City of Tshwane, KwaMhlanga and Overvaal municipalities for making pipes available for testing. ABB is acknowledged for sponsoring the measuring and data logging equipment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Water Research Commission.