Theoretical modeling and experimental validation of leakage in drinking water networks

This article presents a new theoretical model formulation that links the reduction of leakage rate to the reduction of pressure in a network. The proposed model offers the advantage of taking into account both the geometry of leaks and the rigidity of pipeline material. An experimental installation was used to analyze the parameters of the theoretical model in a controlled system in which the geometry of the leak and the material of the pipeline could be modified. This study identified the parameters involved in the theoretical model; it revealed that leakage‐rate reduction depends not only on pressure reduction, but also on pipe material, leak dimension, and initial pressure in the network. For the same percentage of pressure reduction, therefore, leak‐rate reduction was found to be greater in flexible pipes that had an elevated working pressure.