Leak Detection Practices and Techniques for Reducing Losses in Water Distribution Systems Richard Pilcher  Principal Operations Engineer, Halcrow Water Services, Snodland, Kent UK. (e-mail:pilcherr) David Field Regional Sales Manager Europe, Palmer Environmental, Cwmbran,UK. (e-mail:dfield) Abstract As the demand for water continues to increase there is greater pressure on water utilities to operate their distribution systems more efficiently. One very important activity is the reduction and control of water loss from these systems. Many utilities have developed strategies to reduce water loss to an economic or socially acceptable level. The methodology for developing a strategy is outlined and the different components of water loss are identified and described.  This paper details the history and development of the tools that leakage engineers have used, and are using, to pinpoint the location of a break in a pipe that may be up to three metres below ground level. It describes the methods used in the nineteenth century, when the modern distribution systems were being developed, through to those currently in use. The paper will also describe the current best practice being applied to the reduction and control of water loss from distribution systems worldwide. Finally, the emerging and innovative technology that will be available to the leakage control engineers of the twenty first century to combat the age old problem of water loss from distribution systems will be considered and discussed.