Patent ID: 8667978

Claim:
A method for measuring low-flow leaks in a building water distribution system, comprising: controlling at least a portion of said building water distribution system that services multiple appliances or fixtures, using at least one electrically controllable valve; determining a water pressure within said building water distribution system; detecting motion within said building to provide a indication of a presence of human activity within said building; closing said electrically controllable valve to measure the low-flow leaks only if the detecting does not detect motion, indicating that human activity is absent from the building; comparing a result of said determining with a threshold to determine a drop in said pressure; and generating an indication of a potential water leak in conformity with said detected drop in pressure and; sensing activation of at least one appliance that uses water supplied by said water distribution system by measuring an electrical current consumed by said at least one appliance, and wherein said closing is performed unless an appliance override mode is set and said sensing senses that said at least one appliance is active.