Pressure management strategies for water loss reduction in large-scale water piping networks: A review

Abstract

In water distribution networks (WDNs), water loss through leaking pipes is inevitable, as it constitutes a major threat to the operational services of water utilities. While water utilities are keen to providing an adequate supply of water to its end users, the undermined service quality, wasted energy resources and financial loss caused by leakages are major concerns. The financial loss, among others, associated with leaky pipes is increasingly growing at an alarming rate in recent years. Therefore, monitoring pipelines health through leakage control is crucial. Nevertheless, several methods for controlling leakages in WDNs have proposed. Research efforts conducted in the past acknowledged water pressure control as an effective method for reducing losses in water piping networks. Although, adequate pressure is required in the system to meet customer’s demands, it is a general agreement that reducing pressure will reduce the leakage flow rate as well as the possibility of pipe burst or crack. Several pressure management strategies have been proposed for leakage reduction in water distribution systems. In this work, we present an overview of the pressure management approaches proposed for reducing leakages in water distribution networks. Some previous and recent research efforts are outlined. Furthermore, information about leakage control, which may be useful for water utilities and pipeline engineers are provided.