This paper addresses the problem of locating leaks in water distribution networks. The approach presented here is based on steady-state modelling, supported by monitoring tank flow and pressure at strategic nodes. The selection of the pressure monitoring nodes is done applying graph theory concepts adapted to water distribution networks. Pressure monitoring data is then used to build an optimization problem: the objective function is the minimization of the differences between estimated and measured pressures at the monitoring points, the constraints are the common energy and mass conservation laws and the decision variables are the leak locations and flows. This optimization problem is solved by a simulated annealing algorithm presented in a previous work. The application of this approach in a set of case studies produced some encouraging results and this paper describes the complete procedure and draws some conclusions

This paper presents a methodology to quantify and to locate leaks. The original contribution is the use of a tool based on the TrustRank algorithm for the selection of nodes for pressure monitoring. The results from these methodologies presented here are: (I) A sensitivity analysis of the number of pressure transducers on the quality of the final solution; (II) A reduction of the number of pipes to be inspected; and (III) A focus on the problematic pipes which allows a better office planning of the inspection works to perform atthe field. To obtain these results, a methodology for the identification of probable leaky pipes and an estimate of their leakage flows is also presented. The potential of the methodology is illustrated with several case studies, considering different levels of water losses and different sets of pressure monitoring nodes. The results are discussed and the solutions obtained show the benefits of the developed methodologies.