With droughts and water shortages happening more frequently due to climate change and ever-increasing demand on water supplies, reducing water losses in distribution networks is fast becoming a major priority for many water utilities worldwide. At present, a staggering amount of water is lost or unaccounted for, wasting precious resources and costing water utilities through lost revenue and financial penalties. Consumer confidence, too, is damaged, particularly when domestic and commercial customers face the disruption of intermittent water supplies and water restrictions.
In this article, we’ll explain how an advanced water network management software provides powerful tools to help water utilities to quickly identify and resolve water losses.
Real-Time Data Integration
Netbase, our water network management software, makes it easy to integrate real-time data from across the distribution network, including flow metres, pressure sensors, customer contacts, and field observations. This provides network managers with comprehensive visibility that enables early detection of anomalies that may indicate a leak, such as increases in flows, or unusual pressure drops. The earlier that a potential problem is flagged, the faster reactive measures can be taken to minimise disruption for customers and limit water losses.
Data Analysis
Sophisticated data analytics, including machine learning, further enhance the accuracy of leak detection by recognising patterns and deviations from normal conditions. Where an anomaly is detected, leakage detection teams can be quickly dispatched to assess the situation, while other sources of information, such as customer contacts, can be correlated with the data to confirm if a potential leak has been reported. Data analysis, however, isn’t simply about reacting to problems but optimising the network to prevent leaks. Analysing network pressure data alongside operation patterns and customer demand, for instance, allows pressure levels to be optimised to reduce stress on the water network.
Remote Access and Alerts
Once a potential leak is identified, water network management systems facilitate a rapid response. Leakage Analysts & Engineers can be automatically alerted to a problem and access the system remotely to investigate. On-site Leakage Detection teams can provide real-time feedback from their mobile phones, enabling collaboration between office and field staff. A streamlined process minimises the run time of leaks, reducing costly water losses and limiting the time that customers face low water pressure or water shortages.
Strategic Water Loss Management
Proactive planning and maintenance is another key benefit of the Netbase water network management software, allowing utility companies to strengthen vulnerable areas of the network infrastructure. By analysing historical data and trends, susceptible areas of the network can be identified based on factors such as leakage, burst frequency, age and material of the pipe and soil conditions. This intelligence guides capital investment such as pressure management or mains replacement to reduce the frequency and volume of leaks. It also guides innovation on where to implement smarter networks to reduce the time it takes to find leaks, as well as developing policies on repair management to reduce the time it takes to fix leaks
Advanced Analysis Tools
Finally, water network management systems provide advanced leakage and network analysis capabilities, including dynamic demand, water balances and hydraulic modelling. Operators can simulate various operating scenarios, while accounting for factors such as fluid dynamics, pressure, and flow rates. This modelling helps to identify and test mitigation strategies before implementation.
Get In Touch To Find Out More
For more information on how Netbase can support your leak detection strategies, please contact Crowder Consulting today.