United States
     Environmental Protection
     Agency
        RESEARCH PROJECT
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
       Water Supply and Water Resources Division
           Water Quality Management Branch
PIPE LEAK DETECTION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
                                                              IMPACT STATEMENT
                                             The U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined
                                             that one  of  the  nation's  biggest  infrastructural needs  is the
                                             replacement  or  rehabilitation  of  the water distribution  and
                                             transmission systems. The institution of more effective pipe leak
                                             detection  technology will improve  the water utilities' ability to
                                             respond to major and minor pipe  leaks in a timely  manner to
                                             reduce water loss and  property damage, as  well as to  protect
                                             human and environmental health. From this research,  EPA will be
                                             able to help local utilities to implement the technology necessary
                                             to pinpoint leaks  in the water distribution  system  and reduce
                                             water loss.
BACKGROUND:
In 2007, EPA began the implementation of a new science and engineering research program to evaluate and further
develop  innovative  technologies  for evaluation,  rehabilitation, and  replacement of the  Nation's aging  water and
wastewater infrastructure. The water infrastructure program has four pillars, one of which is "condition assessment,"
under which effective pipe leak detection technologies and techniques are investigated and developed.
The U.S. water distribution systems  are aging and many pipes in this infrastructure are beginning to leak or fail
altogether. Leakage from water distribution systems costs the nation 1-2 billion dollars annually and this figure grows
when taking into account property damage and replacement costs due to infrastructural failures.  Leaks in the water
infrastructure do not have to be large to have a major impact on water loss. Large water main breaks receive much  more
media attention, but these types of failures only account for 1 percent of water loss due to leaks. A chronic service line
leak on the order of 1 gallon per minute would most likely go unnoticed for years before being found, and would result
in the loss of 525 thousand gallons of water per year. This water had to be treated and purified to meet drinking water
standards, which increases the costliness of leaks. Water loss on the level of 10-20 percent is considered normal, but in
some areas the aging infrastructure is losing 50 percent of water distributed.
EPA has  determined that one of the nation's biggest infrastructural needs is the replacement or rehabilitation of the
water distribution and  transmission systems. The institution of more  effective pipe leak detection  technology will
improve the water utilities' ability to respond to major and minor pipe leaks in a timely manner to reduce water loss and
property damage, as well as to protect human and environmental health. Leak detection has  historically assumed that
all, if not most, leaks rise to the surface and are visible; however, many leaks continue below the surface for long periods
of time and remain undetected. With an aggressive leak  detection program, water systems can search for and reduce
previously undetected leaks.

DESCRIPTION:
The Office of  Research and  Development's  (ORD) National Risk Management  Research Laboratory has funded this
research project in support of its Aging Water Infrastructure (AWI)  Research Program. This project aims at developing
      National Risk Management Research Laboratory
      Water Supply and Water Resources Division

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new sensor-based water leak detection protocols, methods and technologies for effective pipe leak detection in drinking
water distribution systems. A pipe leak detection system (PLDS) experimental station for testing technique for future
applications was established at the EPA T&E Facility located in Cincinnati, Ohio. This PLDS is constructed of 3-inch ductile
iron pipe and is designed to accommodate different types of pipe and leak configurations. Leak detection experiments
were performed by using acoustic leak detection technology. The specific system used was the ZCorr acoustic leak
detection system manufactured by FlowMetrix, Inc. of Maynard, MA. The efficacy of the ZCorr system in pinpointing the
exact location of water leaks under various experimental conditions was evaluated. From this research, EPA will be able
to help local utilities to implement the technology necessary to pinpoint leaks in the  water distribution system and
reduce water loss.
EPA GOAL: Goal #2 - Clean & Safe Water, Objective 2.1.1- Water Safe to Drink
ORD MULTI YEAR PLAN: Drinking Water (DW), Long Term Goal (LTG) - DW-1 Characterize risks associated with DW sources,
distribution,  treatment, and use
RESEARCH PARTNERS :
Collaborators: University of Cincinnati; Flow Metrix, Inc.
Contractors: Shaw Environmental; University of Cincinnati

EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS:
It is expected that this project will result in improved  monitoring techniques for end-users; lowered cost and increased
effectiveness of design, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of aging water infrastructure; reduced
water loss in distribution; reduced energy consumption and water loss; extended service life and functionality of existing
conveyance systems; and reduced life cycle cost.

OUTPUTS:
In this project, new and improved sensor-based leak detection technologies will be developed in order to aid utilities
and the water industry in reducing water loss and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions through tangible water savings. It
is anticipated the new  methods and techniques are patentable.  Additionally, the project will produce journal articles
and conference proceedings.

RESOURCES:
Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program:  http://www.epa.gov/awi/
Water Resource Adaptation Program (WRAP):  http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/wqm/wrap/

CONTACTS:
Y. Jeffrey Yang, Principal Investigator - (513) 569-7655 oryangjeff@epa.gov
Steven Doub, Media Relations - (513) 569-7503 ordoub.steven@epa.gov
Michelle Latham, Communications - (513) 569-7601 or latham.michelle@epa.gov
      National Risk Management Research Laboratory
      Water Supply and Water Resources Division
www.epa.gov/nrmrl
EPA/600/F-09/019
October 2009

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