KOUGA LAUNCHES SMART LEAK DETECTION TECHNOLOGY
Prevents millions of litres of water loss
SWEEPING Kouga’s water pipes with an acoustic listening device to detect ‘invisible’ leaks has prevented the loss of about 420 000 litres of water per day since September this year.
This at a crucial time for water supply in the drought-stricken region.
The Aqua AM300 Measuring Device (acoustic listening device) is just one element of the state-of-the-art leak detection vehicle that was officially launched by Kouga Municipality in Jeffreys Bay today (09 November 2022) – equipping the municipality with much-needed resources to swiftly detect and respond to leaks.
Leak Detection Vehicle
“The leak detection vehicle was procured through a NAKOPA Partnership Project between Kouga Municipality and Ilsfeld Municipality in Germany,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks.
“The project is funded with more than 200 000 Euro through the German Competence Centre for Local Development Cooperation (SKEW) over a period of three years.”
Hendricks said the project, spearheaded by the Kouga Leak Detection Unit established in May this year, is a key part of the effort to minimise water lost to leaks and non-revenue water of almost 50% across the region.
Apart from the acoustic leak detection, which involves listening for signs of a leak by tapping a stick microphone to a meter or pipe connection – the vehicle is also equipped with a Lokal 100 Correlator (accumulator and PC with two measuring boxes and other attachments that are to be utilized for establishing where in the pipeline the source of the leak is most likely to be situated).
Other equipment used includes a pipe mic – used to detect and locate leakages within a drinking water pipe network.
“It also has the functionality to detect an underground pipe and a very sensitive microphone that is connected to the tip of the device,” said Hendricks.
Successes
“To date the Leak Detection Unit has identified and repaired three major water leaks with a combined estimated value of close to R1.3 million in water lost taken over a conservative timeframe of just one year,” said Hendricks.
“The leaks were situated at Platkroon Avenue, Pink Oak Crescent, and Silver Tree Road in Jeffreys Bay.”
Five district metered zones have, furthermore been established: Ocean View, Pellsrus, Aston Bay, St Francis Bay, and Sea Vista.
“Minimum night flows and trends are recorded to identify any anomalies,” said Hendricks. “Visual leak detection exercises, water meter audits, and acoustic detection on meters are also being conducted.
The Leak Detection Unit has embarked on a storm water tracking exercise over the past weeks.
“This entails walking the trail of all stormwater drainage from the outflow points at the lower elevations to the upper elevations,” said Hendricks. “Once flowing water is found in the drains, it is tested for chlorine.
“If chlorine is detected, which indicates the presence of potable water, the source of the leak is investigated and repaired.”
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