SURVEY OF MUNICIPAL WATER LOSS PRACTICES IN TEXAS
SURVEY OF MUNICIPAL WATER LOSS PRACTICES IN TEXAS
Prepared for the TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD
January 2005
By GDS Associates, Inc. Chris Brown Consulting
Tony Gregg Grier-Bankett Consulting
2004 Municipal Water Loss Survey
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page No.
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
Background ................................................................................................................. 2
Survey Approach and Methodology............................................................................. 5
Survey Response ........................................................................................................ 9
Survey Questions ...................................................................................................... 12
Section I Utility Profile............................................................................................. 12
Section II Water Loss Accounting ............................................................................ 13
Section III Water Loss Minimization Efforts .............................................................. 15
Section IV Historical Water Management.................................................................. 17
Section V Additional Information .............................................................................. 17
Analysis of Data......................................................................................................... 18
Results and Data Review .......................................................................................... 18
1.
Reported Water Loss ............................................................................... 18
2.
Questions Relating to Performing Water Audits....................................... 19
3.
Details of Current Water Audits and Water Loss Calculations? ............... 21
4.
Leak Detection and Response................................................................. 23
5.
Metering................................................................................................... 25
Review of Specific Utility Worksheets........................................................................ 27
Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................... 30
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 34
APPENDIX 1: Data Tables ....................................................................................... 36
APPENDIX 2: Written Responses to Questions ....................................................... 58
APPENDIX 3: Examples of Water Audit Worksheets ............................................... 85
APPENDIX 4: 2004 Municipal Water Loss Survey ................................................. 102
APPENDIX 5: List of Respondents ......................................................................... 104
APPENDIX 6: Status of AWWA Water Loss Committee......................................... 117
APPENDIX 7: Best Management Practice: System Water Audit and Water Loss .. 120
APPENDIX 8: Resources and References ............................................................. 127
APPENDIX 9: Texas Water Development Board EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR's
Comments ............................................................................................. 130
GDS Associates, Inc. Chris Brown Consulting Tony Gregg Grier-Bankett Consulting
i
2004 Municipal Water Loss Survey
GDS Associates, Inc. Chris Brown Consulting Tony Gregg Grier-Bankett Consulting
ii
2004 Municipal Water Loss Survey
Executive Summary
There are finite volumes of water supplies for public use in Texas. The careful accounting for the use of those supplies by public water supply systems is becoming increasingly more important as it is becoming more important to conserve these supplies to meet the needs of the growing population of the state. "Unaccounted for water" or "water loss" is an important benchmark of public water system operations. The efforts water utilities take for good system maintenance in controlling the loss of water are also extremely important functions. This report summarizes the results of an informational survey of a cross sectional sample of public water systems in Texas to determine the degree of efforts in water use auditing practices and water loss control measures.
In the spring and summer of 2004 a written survey was submitted to a sample of 960 public water systems out of the almost 2,400 systems in the state that serve at least 500 or more people. The sample was selected to cover a cross section of sizes (by population served) and a cross section of ownership types. 300 responses to the survey were returned.
The survey consisted of five sections and asked information about the service characteristics and a variety of questions based on typical water use accounting and water loss control practices in the water utility industry. Respondents were also asked to submit any water audit or water use worksheets or documents they use.
This report presents and discusses the survey responses in table format within the text and in Appendix 1. Also included is a tabulation of the written "fill in the blank" responses to certain questions in Appendix 2. Appendix 3 contains selection from the variety of actual water loss forms that were submitted. The report also touches on the basics of the International Water Association's recommended audit methodologies which gear around comprehensive water use measurement and performance indicators. There is a recap of the status of the efforts in this area by the American Water Works Association's Water Loss Committee.
The general findings of the survey reinforced the findings of other surveys and investigations that within the industry consistency in the terminology and techniques for water audit methodologies is needed. Also needed is more focus on water loss control measures such as leak detection, leak response, and meter management. It was also seen that utilities, especially the smaller and more rural, do not have consistent practices or procedures in water accounting.
One recommendation is that there be training offered to Texas utility operators and managers specifically oriented to present the basics as well as the most up to date recommended water audit methodologies and water loss techniques. Recognizing that there are many sizes of systems in Texas, recommendations are that various degrees of water auditing detail and frequency should be required.
GDS Associates, Inc. Chris Brown Consulting Tony Gregg Grier-Bankett Consulting
iii
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related download
- evaluation criteria arcadis u s inc hdr engineering
- stormwater management program
- strategic business plan for the future of city of seattle
- municipal water treatment plant energy baseline study
- survey of municipal water loss practices in texas
- review of operations and strategic planning for city of
- lincoln city golf program sustainability study
- municipal transportation quality review sfmta
Related searches
- best practices in financial management
- best practices in healthcare finance
- best practices in healthcare management
- best practices in healthcare industry
- best practices in email marketing
- teaching practices in the classroom
- what are best practices in education
- best practices in education examples
- best practices in healthcare construction
- current best practices in healthcare
- best practices in teaching reading
- definition of best practices in healthcare