Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/K504191/1
Title:	Smart Leak Detection Pipes - 27657
Principal Investigator:	Metje, Professor N
Other Investigators:	Chapman, Professor DN Ward, Dr M Anthony, Dr CJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Civil Engineering
Organisation:	University of Birmingham
Scheme:	Technology Programme
Starts:	01 July 2013	Ends:	31 July 2017	Value (£):	240,685
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Water Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction Water
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project will develop an easy to install leak detection system for existing and new water pipes. Based on self-contained sensor nodes located on the outside of the pipe the system will detect changes in pressure and vibration to indicate the formation of leaks and their location as they occur. The innovative features of the system include the fact that internal conditions are monitored from the outside of the pipe using sensors not used before due to their need for a power source, which now will be supplied by a novel radioisotopic battery lasting the lifetime of the pipes themselves. These features together develop a low cost, easy to install system which will last the lifetime of the pipes. This will allow these sensors to be installed along the lengths of pipes such that all water distribution pipes can be monitored in real time, eliminating location errors & the current delay in identifying leaks due to the need for the leak flow to grow to a size where it can be identified on a district flow meter. OFWAT estimated water losses of 3281 Ml/day in the UK in 2010 through leaking pipes. It is estimated that 32 billion cubic metres are lost every year worldwide (World Bank 2006). This water is lost from the 'blue water cycle'. Not all leaks are visible and the non visible leaks are initially identified through monitoring flows into discrete areas or via slow and time consuming surveys along the lengths of pipes. This means that leaks are not identified until they have grown to sufficient size and this 'awareness time' can amount to several weeks or even months and lead to a large amount of water being lost before then. Whilst this time can vary, it is generally seen as considerably longer than the time taken to pinpoint and repair leaks. Eliminating the delay will substantially reduce the water lost - in this country alone by over 1000 Ml/d (~450 Ml/day for Severn Trent Water, STW, alone, who own ~1/8th of the network). Thus, on a worldwide basis the approach has the potential to save considerably more than the required 1000 Ml/d. Leakage can have dramatic effects on society. In many developing countries it is frequently the principal cause of intermittant supplies or the inability to connect more people to the pipes water network. The water has been treated and pumped with substantial embedded energy; therefore reducing leakage also reduces energy wastage. Leakage control is a major activity for water utilities in both the UK, where it is a regulatory requirement, and throughout the world. New methods of identifying leaks which reduce the time taken to identify and locate leaks are needed worldwide. There is a particular need for systems to manage leakage on plastic pipes due to their poor response to current leakage detection techniques. This collaborative project is led by Jo Parker of Watershed Associates, who has many years experience in leakage control and who managed the Technology Strategy Board's VISTA project to successful completion exemplified by the take up of the research outcomes in Scotland. It includes 2 UK water companies representing the end user and together supplying 25% of the UK population; STW and United Utilities (UU). The University of Birmingham (UoB) will lead the research development supported by an SME specialising in developing electronic systems for the management of leakage, GCR Tech. It also includes a utility contractor, Morrison Utility Services, (MUS) which will develop a fast, low cost installation technology. Thus, the consortium can develop the product and market it through the professional networks specialising in leakage management in the UK and worldwide.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.bham.ac.uk