The winning research project ‘Smart Noise Logger‐based Leak Diagnosis System’ will explore a new approach to interpret noise logger outputs and pin point the leak location without the need for other technologies,such as correlators or acoustic. It is a key step in improving the Hong Kong Water Distribution Network and contributing to a better understanding of pipe performance. The main users of the proposed research will be academics, contractors,municipal personnel,and other interested stakeholders.
Hong Kong (HK) has 8,605 km of potable and salt water pipes with average age of more than 30years, which need high cost of maintenance. A considerable number of pipe bursts/breaks (148)and detected leakage (9,585) cases was reported in 2016. These statistics show the critical situation of Water Distribution Network (WDN) in HK. The socio‐economic consequences of water pipe breaks/bursts are high and cause considerable damage to society, businesses, and the environment.Although much effort was exerted, such efforts are still not enough to significantly reduce WDN vulnerabilities and negative economic impacts. There is an urgent need, therefore, for smart,reliable and consistent leak diagnosis system. Noise loggers are used in HK for long time with less accuracy due to the drawback of the existing interpretation techniques.
