A novel device for pressure-based leakage characterisation in water distribution pipes

A pipe condition assessment device (PCAD) was developed to detect, characterise leakage and assess the condition of water distribution networks (WDN). In this study, the reliability and repeatability of the device results were established by first characterising known leak types on pipe sections using a standardised method. Then, three manufactured leak types were tested, with each leak tested ten times. These tests were then repeated using the PCAD and showed that the PCAD could produce results comparable to laboratory-acquired results within a 95% confidence interval. Field tests conducted in a real network revealed that the PCAD could detect and identify leakage characteristics in water networks.