Leakage management

Leakage management is about cracks and breaks in pipes, plus faulty valves and joints. Tech will be around how to tell if there is significant water leakage and then where it is in the network.

Leak management methods can prevent or reduce leakage volume, and leak detection technology can improve the ability of water utilities to respond quickly and repair leaks.

Effective leak management is crucial because the water supply is under increasing pressure and water companies face more stringent leakage targets. The challenges of ageing infrastructure, changing environmental factors, and increased demand add to the complexity. Finding an effective method of detecting and managing leaks is paramount.

Traditionally, the water industry has taken a reactive ‘find and fix’ approach to managing leaks and the broader water network. The problem is that more are forming as quickly as leaks are found.

Condition assessments offer an alternative, proactive approach to leak and network management, comprising of a physical inspection of a pipe. Water companies can make informed decisions about their maintenance and replacement work.

Some assessment approaches rely on excavating and examining a small section of pipe. This data is then extrapolated to present the overall condition of the pipeline. However, these findings are often unrepresentative of the true asset condition.