Optimal monitoring of water pressure may increase the efficiency of health monitoring of the water distribution system.For the purpose

this paper proposes a practically optimal monitoring method for health monitoring of water distribution system based on the review of optimal monitoring of water pressure for optimal operation of water distribution systems.Local breaks with different extents at different positions are assumed in a water distribution system

and the water pressure monitoring stations are assumed to be node by node.The optimal positions of water pressure stations are determined by the ID（influence degree）of the breaks on the water pressure.The effectiveness of the method is verified by example analysis.It is shown that water pressure monitoring stations should be placed at the ends of a water distribution system where water pressures are sensitive to local breaks

which is identical to the engineering experience;the leakage has certain effect on the local sequence of the ID

but the effect is very small;the method can be used for health monitoring and diagnosis of a local leakage with both small and large extent.