Demonstrating Innovative Leakage Reduction Strategies: Correlating Continuous Acoustic Monitoring, Satellite Imagery and Flow Sensitive Pressure Reducing Valve System
Water Leakage Reduction Strategies for California Water Distribution Systems
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Recipient
Voorhees, NJ
Recipient Location
$1,382,316
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The correlating continuous acoustic monitoring and satellite imagery leak detection were estimated to save approximately 149,000 to 419,000 kWh of embedded energy and reduce around 3 to 9 percent of the total system's energy use if leaks were discovered and fixed. However, results will vary depending on the number of fixable leaks found per year. The flow sensitive pressure reduction valves proved effective in preventing catastrophic leaks and was deployed in three cities[br/][br/]The correlating acoustic monitoring devices are ready for broad adoption on metal piped systems, but need to adapt to plastic. The satellite imagery leak detection service needs improvement in narrowing down the areas of interest and education for the utilities to increase awareness of this method of leak detection. The flow sensitive pressure reduction valves are a work in progress and barriers associated with software advancement and increased data transmission reliability need to be resolved.
The Issue
Water utilities across the country struggle with aging pipe infrastructure, resulting in water loss from leaks. Delivery of potable water to customers requires substantial energy associated with treatment and conveyance-- the embedded energy in water—and the loss of water in distribution lines means energy is being wasted. The longer a pipeline leak goes unidentified, the more treated water is wasted, along with the energy used to produce and convey that water. Eliminating leaks would reduce water loss but underground water leaks are difficult to detect and manage.
Project Innovation
This project demonstrated three leak detection technologies to reduce the amount of water lost from pipeline leaks along with the amount of embedded energy wasted due to these leaks. The technologies include satellite imagery leak detection (SILD), correlating continuous acoustic monitoring (CCAM), and flow sensitive pressure reducing valves (FSPRV), which were tested at site demonstrations in four Southern California cities.
Project Benefits
This project advanced the technical knowledge of detecting underground water leaks and estimated the energy savings associated with the water leak detection/prevention strategies. Identifying and demonstrating tools to help water agencies monitor, assess, and manage their water distribution systems conserves water resources, increases water system reliability, lower emergency and repair costs and reduces water and electricity costs for ratepayers. These benefits were quantified through the volume of water saved and the embedded energy in the saved water.
Environmental Sustainability
The technologies demonstrated in this research project provides information to water agencies on leak detection technologies and impacts of water leaks on overall energy use due to the embedded energy associated with treating and transporting water.
Key Project Members
David Hughes
Subrecipients
Hazen & Sawyer
Echologics
Utilis
Stream Control Ltd.
Match Partners
Hazen &
Sawyer
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Echologics
