Reaserch and Case Studies on Water Losses in Distribution Networks and Their Effect on the Groundwater

The current paper approaches the possibility of using the devices owned by the Company I work for, namely the G.P.R. (Ground penetrating Radar), U.A.V., thermal imaging camera, for the purpose of pre or identification of losses on pipelines and transportation of drinking water, identifying fraudulent consumers by determining possible unauthorized digging and monitoring the sewage and treatment plants. both on drinking water distribution and transportation pipes. Using different types of GPR’s such as low frequency, GPR with deep radar penetration up to 11 m depth, GPR with multiple antennas especially those with 40 or more, can help to create a better “image” of the underground utilities, as well as the presence of possible infiltrations, which can come either from damaged pipes or from the groundwater. These equipments like G.P.R., drones and thermal imaging camera, should not be perceived as universal replacement of all the so far existing devices, either in terms of loss identification or in terms of utilities identification, as they are complementary devices on certain loss detection segments.