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Water leak detection and water leak repair – Case Study Electrolux

Author: Graham Mann, Water Audit Expert.

Following major water leaks on the site 12 months ago costing around £ 100,000 Electrolux took the advise given by the water experts at H²O Building Services to install a remote data logger, this is a device that is fitted to the incoming water company meter and it records a magnetic pulse given per litre of water used, and sends this data to a web based date collection system, when interrogated produces a daily and overnight flow profile in both graphic form and numerical display. The system can be programmed to alarm and when the flow exceeds a pre-programmed level an email alert is sent to a pre-determined site, in this instance H²O project managers. The system was interrogated revealing an hourly consumption of 82.40m3 per hour or 1,977 cubic meters per day at a daily cost of £ 5,141 or £ 1.8m per year if left to run.

Picture 1) The screen shot of the data logger which shows the water flow.

The water leak repair crews were dispatched and excavated the leak location exposing substantial corrosion to the cast iron water supply pipe.

Picture 2) Corroded water supply pipe.

The damaged supply pipe was cut out and repaired by inserting a new piece of pipe and secured at either end using Viking Johnson couplings, the water supply was re-charged and pressure tested.

Picture 3) Repaired section of water pipe.

The excavation will be backfilled and reinstated within a few days once the leaked water has drained away.

Had Electrolux not had the on-line water flow monitoring system in place then under normal Northumbrian Water meter reading frequency the water leak would not have shown itself for at least 9 months on the water bills resulting in a bill of £ 1.35 million.

It pays to take control of your water costs.