article · Water Science & Technology Water Supply
Water distribution utilities face persistent challenges with pipe leakage, yet conventional pressure-based detection methods often assume single-leak scenarios and fail to tie detection rates to financial costs. An integrated hydraulic and economic framework addresses this gap by coupling pressure-based localization with life-cycle economic assessments under multi-leak conditions. A two-stage evaluation process first screens sensor setups using a volume-based net present value model, then tests economically viable configurations against complex leak scenarios using evolutionary algorithms including Genetic Algorithm, Differential Evolution, and NSGA-II. Candidate leak locations are identified using distance-weighted pressure residuals and sensitivity matrices to improve spatial precision and computational speed. The evaluation shows that hydraulic observability limits prevent some leaks from being detected under any configuration. Furthermore, moderate sensor densities provide near-optimal returns, while NSGA-II provides superior protection against false negatives.
Undetected leaks cause severe water losses and financial burdens for public and private utilities. By linking sensor placement directly to economic returns and realistic multi-leak conditions, network operators can deploy capital more effectively. The findings guide decision-makers to avoid over-investing in dense sensor networks that offer minimal extra value, ensuring cost-efficient and reliable monitoring of critical municipal water infrastructure.
This framework offers decision-support tools for water utilities, infrastructure engineers, and sensor network planners seeking to optimise capital deployment. The practical methodology balances sensor costs against volumetric water savings. Because the work is based on algorithmic modeling and simulated network scenarios, it represents applied research that requires field validation and integration into commercial network management software before full real-world deployment.
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ABSTRACT Graphical abstract showing two-stage sensor configuration evaluation: economic screening followed by leak localization using DE, GA, and NSGA-II across multiple leak scenarios. Leakage remains a major challenge for water utilities. However, pressure-based leak localization studies are often limited to single-leak assumptions and economic assessments that are disconnected from actual detection performance. This paper presents an integrated hydraulic–economic framework that links pressure-based leak localization outcomes with life-cycle economic evaluation under realistic multi-leak conditions. The framework adopts a two-stage approach: (1) predefined sensor configurations are screened using a volume-based Net Present Value model driven by detection and false-negative rates, (2) the most economically competitive configurations are subjected to detailed hydraulic leak localization analysis. Leak localization is performed using Genetic Algorithm, Differential Evolution, and NSGA-II. These algorithms are evaluated across single-leak, clustered multi-leak, and multi-leak scenarios including dominant and minor leaks. A pre-selection strategy is used to identify candidate leak nodes using distance-weighted pressure residual formulation and a Jacobian sensitivity matrix to enhance spatial discrimination and computational efficiency. Results reveal a hydraulic observability limitation, where certain leaks remain undetectable regardless of sensor configuration or algorithm. While higher sensor density maximizes total economic benefit, marginal returns diminish significantly. NSGA-II proves to be more robust against false negatives, while moderate densities are near-optimal for economic benefits. The findings support decision-oriented sensor deployment in water distribution networks.
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DOI: 10.2166/ws.2026.204
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