Description
A new Leak Locator feature has been added to MIKE WaterNet Advisor Release 2026, WD Online, to allow for automatic detection of zones where the minimum night flow (MNF) has increased. The program will then try to locate the pipe that has this failure. Note that the automatic MNF feature is available only for online models
How to set up
When a pipe breaks in the actual pipe network, water is lost. This water loss will be detected by an increase of the night flow minimum, and it will be reported through the telemetry system. In such a case, the on-line model with this Leak Locator feature will assist the user in pinpointing the possible location of this pipe break.
The methodology is based on real-time pressure monitoring within the district meter area (DMA) and pressure sensitivity analysis of nodes within a network when leak is present. Enough pressure monitoring points depend on the type and size of each DMA. Indicatively, a data-logger capable of pressure recording is required for every 200 properties within the model or area under investigation.
The program generates a new leak event whenever the minimum night flow (MNF) has increased, and the user can run the leak locator analysis that automatically uses the “leak event” data to find the probably pipe break location based on hydraulic conditions within the zone or a network. Various statistical methods are used in this process. Results are stored in MIKE WaterNet Advisor and available for viewing (see Fig-1).
Fig. 1. – Leak locator analysis in MIKE WaterNet Advisor, nodes in orange/red are nodes with high probability of a pipe break location
FURTHER INFORMATION AND USEFUL LINKS
Manuals and User Guides
Can be downloaded from DHI's Download Center
[Release Notes]
WaterDistributionOnline Release Notes
[Training options]
MIKE WaterNet Advisor courses
[Video tutorials]
WaterNet Advisor - Leak Locator Tool