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

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2004 Municipal Water Loss Survey

GDS Associates, Inc. Chris Brown Consulting Tony Gregg Grier-Bankett Consulting

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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

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