Joseph, Kiran ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4992-3933, Shetty, Jyoti ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-3427, Patnaik, Rahul, Matthew, Noel S, van Staden, Rudi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7339-7702, Liyanage, Wasantha P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7016-4524, Powell, Grant, Bennett, Nathan and Sharma, Ashok ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0172-5033 (2025) Early Leak and Burst Detection in Water Pipeline Networks Using Machine Learning Approaches. Water, 17 (14). p. 2164. ISSN 2073-4441

Abstract

Leakages in water distribution networks pose a formidable challenge, often leading to substantial water wastage and escalating operational costs. Traditional methods for leak detection often fall short, particularly when dealing with complex or subtle data patterns. To address this, a comprehensive comparison of fourteen machine learning algorithms was conducted, with evaluation based on key performance metrics such as multi-class classification metrics, micro and macro averages, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The data, collected from an experimental site under leak, major leak, and no-leak scenarios, was used to perform multi-class classification. The results highlight the superiority of models such as Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbours, and Decision Tree in detecting leaks with high accuracy and robustness. Multiple models effectively captured the nuances in the data and accurately predicted the presence of a leak, burst, or no leak, thus automating leak detection and contributing to water conservation efforts. This research demonstrates the practical benefits of applying machine learning models in water distribution systems, offering scalable solutions for real-time leak detection. Furthermore, it emphasises the role of machine learning in modernising infrastructure management, reducing water losses, and promoting the sustainability of water resources, while laying the groundwork for future advancements in predictive maintenance and resilience of water infrastructure.

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