Integrated Sensor Placement and Leak Localization Using Geospatial Genetic Algorithms
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 149, Issue 9
Abstract
There is an urgent need to reduce water loss from drinking water distribution systems. A novel framework that integrates the placement of multiple pressure sensors and localization using geospatial techniques is developed and validated to find leaks/bursts as they occur within district meter areas (DMAs). A data-driven leak/burst localization technique, featuring a novel spatially constrained inverse-distance weighted interpolation technique, was developed that quantifies the change in pressure due to a new leak/burst event using pressure sensors deployed in a DMA. The integrated framework uses the same modeling results and geospatial search techniques in both the optimal sensor placement and leak/burst localization steps. It can be adapted for any data-driven or model-based leak/burst localization technique and is not dependent on high hydraulic model calibration requirements such as high density smart meter deployment. Validation is presented using data from 16 engineered events (field work flushing) conducted in an operational DMA. Results show good agreement between the leak/burst localization performance for real and modeled engineered events, demonstrating that the sensor placement technique can accurately predict the expected performance of an operational DMA. This is particularly the case as the number of optimal sensors increases. Engineered events as small as 3.5% of the peak daily flow (6% of the average daily flow) were correctly localized with search areas containing as few as 14% of the pipes in the DMA (using only four pressure sensors).
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions. Direct requests for these materials may be made to the provider (United Utilities). The thesis underpinning this paper is available for download (Boatwright 2020).
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the innovation team at United Utilities and the engineering and physical sciences research council (EPSRC) for funding this work under a STREAM IDC research project (grant number EP/L015412/1).
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 5, 2022
Accepted: Apr 5, 2023
Published online: Jun 23, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 23, 2023
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Cited by
- Mohammad Rajabi, Massoud Tabesh, Pressure Sensor Placement for Leakage Detection and Calibration of Water Distribution Networks Based on Multiview Clustering and Global Sensitivity Analysis, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 10.1061/JWRMD5.WRENG-6262, 150, 5, (2024).