Leak detection from municipal mains water systems in the Gauteng (PWV) area using environmental isotopes

Abstract

The distinctive stable isotopic composition of imported water supplied by Rand Water in Gauteng is used in a feasibility study to detect leakage from mains supplies. The strategy used is to employ mainly privately owned boreholes as sampling points of ground water. The isotopic contrast between mains water and that of most naturally recharged ground water allows for the determination of the admixture of as little as 10% of mains water. The parameters measured are the concentrations of deuterium and oxygen-18 as fractional deviations from a standard. In addition, environmental tritium is measured in a selection of cases to establish the mobility of ground water. Electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, temperature and pHare measured in the field for supporting information. In Pretoria, numerous boreholes were sampled in the township of Mountain View, situated on steeply sloping terrain. A fairly uniform increase in 518O, E.C. and tritium concentration downslope is observed.

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