Water Loss Control using

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

15

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



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


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



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



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

THANK YOU!Michael Simpson –[email protected]

(800) 255-1521www.mesimpson.com

Water Loss Control using

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