FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
The things most asked about the process, duration, cost and reporting. If your question is not in the list, write to us.
How long does work on a municipal network take?
It depends on the scope. A pilot phase of a few nights typically covers 20–60 km of main; a city-wide programme is planned neighbourhood by neighbourhood and spread over months.
Example: in Çanakkale 35.5 km was listened in 4 nights, in Keşan 56.8 km in 6 nights. The firm duration is set in the quote after the initial assessment.
Is excavation needed for leak detection?
No. Acoustic listening and correlation are non-destructive methods; the leak position is set from the surface to the metre.
Excavation is done only for the confirmed point, at the repair stage; the cost of unnecessary excavation and road damage is removed.
Why is the work mostly done at night?
Consumption stops at night; network noise is at its lowest and the leak sound is most distinct. For the same reason, the minimum night flow measured at the reservoir outlet is the most reliable indicator of invisible physical loss.
Daytime work is used for complementary verification.
How is the cost of the service set?
The cost is set by the length of main (km) to be listened, the number of measurement points, the duration and the reporting scope. After a one-day field assessment and a night flow measurement, the magnitude of the loss is worked out and a comprehensive quote is prepared.
The general rule: the cost of detecting a leak is far below the loss left unrepaired.
What does the municipality receive at the end of the work?
For each leak, fault reports with coordinates, acoustic sound level and a photo; daily work reports and a management summary; an IWA water balance and NRW calculation; a GIS map with all points entered, and a digital archive.
On request, the data is transferred to the LeakExpert mobile + web platform.
Which pipe materials does acoustic listening work on?
It works on all pressurised mains. In metal pipes (steel, cast iron, galvanised) the leak sound travels far and detection is easy. In plastic pipes (PE, PVC) the sound decays quickly, so measurement and contact points are spaced more closely; it is supported with a correlator, noise loggers and, where needed, gas tracing.
When the pipe material and diameter are entered correctly into the correlator, the location error is very small.
Can work be done in winter or on frozen ground?
Yes. Flow and pressure loggers record all year round. In acoustic listening, snow cover can dampen the sound somewhat; in that condition the measurement points are increased and night work and the correlator take on more weight.
On high-altitude sites such as Doğubayazıt, detection has been completed in winter conditions.
How soon are the results delivered?
Daily reports are shared while the field work is ongoing. After a phase is completed, the final report with fault reports, the water balance / NRW calculation and the GIS map is typically delivered within a few working days.
Urgent points are reported without delay.
Do you travel to projects abroad?
Yes. Our equipment is portable and we have experience of field work abroad; leak detection was carried out on a drinking-water network in Mozambique.
Logistics and scope are planned in the initial call.
How does pressure management reduce leaks?
Leak flow is directly proportional to network pressure; reducing excess pressure immediately lowers the water running from existing leaks and the risk of new pipe bursts.
With pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) and zoning, excess pressure at night is limited and pipe life is extended.
Are our network map and data safe?
The network maps, meter data and measurement records received from the institution are used only within the scope of the project and are not shared with third parties. The delivered digital archive and platform access belong to the institution.
See the privacy policy page for detail.
Have another question?
Let's talk directly.
In a short call we can give an answer specific to your network.