Acoustic Data Logging for Long-Term Monitoring
Deployment of acoustic data loggers that record sound pressure levels over extended periods to identify developing leak patterns.
How Acoustic Data Logging for Long-Term Monitoring Works
Acoustic data logging involves deploying sensitive sound-recording devices at strategic locations within a water system for extended monitoring periods — typically 7-30 days. These battery-powered loggers continuously record ambient sound levels, capturing acoustic data at programmed intervals (typically every 15-30 minutes). The recorded data is downloaded and analysed to identify patterns that indicate developing leaks: increases in baseline sound levels that correspond to system pressure changes, sounds that occur during quiet nighttime hours when legitimate consumption is minimal, and acoustic signatures characteristic of specific leak types. This long-term monitoring approach is particularly valuable for identifying intermittent leaks that may not be active during a single acoustic survey visit, and for establishing baseline acoustic conditions for future comparison.
Applications in BC
- Intermittent leak detection in municipal water systems
- Baseline acoustic profiling for condition assessment
- Nighttime minimum flow correlation with leak sounds
- Pressure transient monitoring for leak development
- Post-repair verification of leak elimination
Advantages
- Captures intermittent leaks that single surveys miss
- Establishes baseline for year-over-year comparison
- Identifies developing leaks before they become failures
- Minimal site visits — loggers collect data automatically
- Historical data supports condition-based maintenance
Limitations
- Data analysis requires time and expertise
- Battery life limits monitoring duration
- Data loggers can be vandalized or stolen
- Does not provide real-time alerts (not real-time monitoring)
Equipment Used
- • Gutermann ZoneScan 400 acoustic loggers
- • Sewerin Orion acoustic data loggers
- • Echologics Echo acoustic loggers
- • Hydreka Enigma acoustic loggers
- • Aclara MLS acoustic loggers
Professional Acoustic Data Logging for Long-Term Monitoring in BC
LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca. Call 604-239-9934.