Water Loss Control Manual
With numerous tables, diagrams, charts, graphs, photographs, and basic explanations, this book examines every aspect of water loss and provides simple, effective, tested solutions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Water Loss Control Manual
10.2: LEAK DETECTION
10.2 LEAK DETECTION
Leak detection in various forms has been around for many years and is a process which has recently become very high tech. However, it is important to note that the higher technology only enables us to do things faster, more efficiently, or to a higher standard; many of the older technologies are still relevant.
Each piece of equipment forms part of a tool kit and is not usually the only solution to leak problems. Most important, whatever level of technology the leak detection team is using, they must be confident in their use of it and in the ability of the equipment to find and pinpoint leakage accurately.
Visual Survey
The most basic form of leak location is the visual survey. A visual survey consists of walking the lines looking for either leaks which appear above the ground or, in very dry countries or regions, areas that have suspicious green growth patches above the water lines. Figure 10.5 shows a leak that could easily be located by visual survey. This particular leak is on an above-ground air valve. Other leaks, which are not quite so obvious, are also often picked up.
Figure 10.5: Visible leakage from an air valve. ( Source: Mark Loveday.)
While the visual survey is not very high tech, it should not be underestimated, particularly by utilities which have suffered from lack of good and frequent maintenance. The visual survey is also a very quick method of locating a large break or...
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