Artificial intelligence for leak monitoring in water distribution networks

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Nearly 25-30% of drinking water is estimated to be lost between treatment and delivery. This is not only a loss of revenue and wasted energy from storage to delivery, but also a loss of valuable resource when nearly 1 in 10 people on our planet lack access to clean drinking water. Conventional leak detection technologies rely on inspection methods which involve cumbersome processes and expert interpretation of data to determine the presence of leaks and their location. Our industrial partner has invested in a patented monitoring system which can be installed on fire hydrants to detect and locate leaks, year-round even in cold climates. However, the decision-support tools are basic and have significant room for advancement using artificial intelligence (AI) and latest developments in communication technologies, including 5G. This project aims to bring latest developments in AI to bear on the problem of leak detection and localization in water distribution systems. Most importantly, through this partnership, new algorithms and processes which have been developed and validated by the academic team in controlled laboratory and field environments will be further developed and translated to real-world complex operational environments. It is anticipated that such advancements will increase detection rates and robustness, while also reducing or eliminating the need for expert user intervention. Through this collaboration, trainees will also gain skills in machine learning and signal processing which are in high demand in Canada and worldwide.