Prelocalization and leak detection in drinking water distribution networks using modeling-based algorithms: a case study for the city of Casablanca (Morocco)

Abstract. The role of a drinking water distribution network (DWDN) is to supply high-quality water at the necessary pressure at various times of the day for several consumption scenarios. Locating and identifying water leakage areas has become a major concern for managers of the water supply, to optimize and improve constancy of supply. In this paper, we present the results of field research conducted to detect and to locate leaks in the DWDN focusing on the resolution of the Fixed And Variable Area Discharge (FAVAD) equation by use of the prediction algorithms in conjunction with hydraulic modeling and the Geographical Information System (GIS). The leak localization method is applied in the oldest part of Casablanca. We have used, in this research, two methodologies in different leak episodes: (i) the first episode is based on a simulation of artificial leaks on the MATLAB platform using the EPANET code to establish a database of pressures that describes the network's behavior in the presence of leaks. The data thus established have been fed into a machine learning algorithm called random forest, which will forecast the leakage rate and its location in the network; (ii) the second was field-testing a real simulation of artificial leaks by opening and closing of hydrants, on different locations with a leak size of 6 and 17 L s −1 . The two methods converged to comparable results. The leak position is spotted within a 100 m radius of the actual leaks.