What have been the recent trends in (water) pipeline leak detection?
There are three primary systems that have been used and developed by manufacturers of leak detection systems for the past 15 years: • Listening Sticks/Ground Microphones • Digital Correlators • Fixed network leak sensors Each of these categories of leak detection have improved significantly to the point where the physics of the systems have reached boundaries of sensitivity and digital filtering of noise profiles. Improvements now tend to focus on size and software/ user interface to maintain competitive advantages and refresh the product lines. Fixed network sensors such as the Gutermann Zonescan loggers have moved one step further to the advanced stage of unmanned leak detection, utilising radio, GSM and Wi-Fi for remote monitoring of leaks via web access. Using this type of system the utility can view all leaks that have appeared on its network and even pinpoint the leak remotely using sound correlation. This is the top of the range system in terms of leak monitoring. It is deployed
