The very latest leak noise correlation techniques and equipment combined
with the more traditional methods such as sounding and step tests
are used by our experienced engineers to guarantee efficient,
effective and accurate detection.
Hydrosave will initially check the integrity of the area to
be surveyed and then use one of the following three methods to
determine the areas of interest within a given DMA/DMZ:
1) Deploy noise loggers at intervals throughout the DMA in order
to locate areas of suspected leak noises.
a) Areas, which contain a suspected problem, are noted for
future reference. These positions will initially be checked for
the obvious (leak on fitting, etc.) but if nothing is found then
the correlator will be used to locate the approximate position
of the problem, the leak will then be pinpointed using the Hydrosave
stethoscope. If no top sound is present or the top sound is to
great for accurate pinpointing then the correlator will be used
in the more advanced mode for locating the leak i.e. compute,
velocity checks etc.
2) Hydrosave will undertake a step test of the DMA to again
target areas of interest in this case through water flow Data
during the steptest. (continue as in 1a)
3) Hydrosave will on entering a district sound all the major
fitting using the Hydrosave stethoscope for noises. This is combined
with listening on all stop taps whilst passing if the major fittings
look to be a distance apart. (continue as in 1a)
Any large consumers found whilst working within the zone will
be noted. If it is found to be necessary the main meter will
be logged for a 24-hour period.
If upon finishing the zone no leaks are found Hydrosave will
ask the district for the zone to have all boundary valves checked
for tightness and the meter / logger checked for the correct
setting. If necessary a ‘zero pressure’ check may
be required. Hydrosave can carry out any of the above if required.
When the above has been confirmed then depending upon the material
of the pipes in the zone, the distance between fitting and the
set up of the area i.e. rural / town then the following options
have to be considered. These are from listening on all fittings
again to correlating all lengths of pipe (plastic).
Some of the pinpointing / listening will have to be carried
out during the early hours of the morning, this will be decided
depending on the area and with the agreement of the district
office.
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