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Water Leak Detection System

Possible Academic Connections: Civil Engineering, Business

Recommended project length: Semester

Experiential Learning? No

Community Engagement? No

Remote learning possible? Yes

Brief description: Determine which leak detection system is the most effective and will cost the least for the University.

Project Description

Investigate various products that detect water leakage and will automatically shut valves to minimize losses; create written recommendations for the purchase of water leak detection systems. The written recommendations must include a triple bottom line cost-benefit analysis of the water leak detection system purchase with an expected payback period. Cost must include, at a minimum, system purchase cost, operating and maintenance costs. Benefits must include, at a minimum, savings from reduced water leakage, from reduced carbon emissions, and some financial measure of water users’ health, comfort, or convenience.

Resources Available to Students/Faculty to Complete Project

  • “Specifying Plumbing Leak Detection” PDF
  • Case study: “Shutting Down Plumbing Leaks in Commercial Mechanical Rooms” PDF
  • Water Flow (GPM) based on pipe ID and pressure chart
  • Water loss due to leakage calculator
  • Staff time

Resources available upon request.

Project alignment to OHIO Sustainability & Climate Action Plan

Please send final project deliverables to sustainability@ohio.edu for tracking and reporting purposes.