Remote monitoring of water distribution system

A monitoring system for a water distribution system, the monitoring system comprising:

• a plurality of remote monitoring systems, wherein each remote monitoring system of the plurality of remote monitoring systems is located at a corresponding fire hydrant of a water distribution system, each remote monitoring system comprising:
• at least one acoustic hydrophone positioned in contact with water of the water distribution system, the at least one acoustic hydrophone configured to collect acoustic information;
• and
• a communication interface coupled to the at least one acoustic hydrophone to receive the collected acoustic information from the at least one acoustic hydrophone;
• and
• a central monitoring system in communication with the plurality of remote monitoring systems, the central monitoring system configured to receive collected acoustic information transmitted by the communication interface of each remote monitoring system of the plurality of remote monitoring systems, wherein the central monitoring system is configured to analyze the collected acoustic information received from the plurality of remote monitoring systems and determine whether a leak is present in the water distribution system based on the analyzed acoustic information.

A method for detecting leaks in a water distribution system, the method comprising:

• collecting acoustic information from a plurality of acoustic hydrophones, each acoustic hydrophone of the plurality of acoustic hydrophones positioned in contact with water of a water distribution system and associated with a fire hydrant of the water distribution system;
• transmitting the collected acoustic information from each acoustic hydrophone of the plurality of acoustic hydrophones to a central monitoring system;
• analyzing, by the central monitoring system, the collected acoustic information transmitted by each acoustic hydrophone;
• and
• determining whether a leak is present in the water distribution system based on the analyzed acoustic information.