Leaks present in the water distribution networks (WDNs) lead to an enormous loss of a valuable resource, not only affecting the economic efficiency of water utilities but also posing significant potential safety hazards, and an increased burden on infrastructure maintenance. In the past, several studies have focused on passive acoustic-based leak detection by primarily sensing and analyzing the acoustic signals emitted from the leak source. In this study, we installed a low-frequency transducer in the water column of an operational WDN near Los Angeles, California, and excited the system using steady-state sinusoidal and sine burst signals. The acoustic pressure signals inside the pipe network were measured at multiple locations using state-of-the-art hydrophone-enabled devices retrofitted to fire hydrants. The experiments were conducted in the presence of a simulated leak in the network. The leak acts as an impedance discontinuity for the acoustic wave propagation, and therefore, the excited signals undergo partial reflection at the leak location. Based on signal processing techniques, we attempt to detect and localize the leaks in the WDN. The goal of using the active acoustics is to detect small leaks and increase the range of sensing.