This publication is intended to support water utilities, especially in EMDEs, (Emerging Markets and Developing Economies), to broaden their knowledge of the currently available methods, including their advantages, disadvantages, application possibilities and limitations to be able to make an initial pre-evaluation of the methods under the respective local conditions.

Depending on the situation, this may lead to certain methods being excluded from the very beginning and others being shortlisted. However, under no circumstances should this publication be used as the sole criterion for purchasing equipment or subcontracting leak detection services.

In addition, the utility's existing experience, as well as experiences of other utilities with similar problems and conditions, should be included and at least on-site demonstrations of the methods or pilot projects, if needed, should be carried out in the final decision process.