AWWA SOURCES55583

In 1995 the water companies of England and Wales were responsible for a total water loss of 5,112 Ml/day. In 2001 this was reduced to 3,310 Ml/day, a reduction of 35%. Most water companies are now claiming to be at or close to their economic level of leakage, where saving 1m3 of water from leakage control activity costs the same as supplying 1m3 of water. This leakage reduction success is a consequence of government intervention and regulatory pressure, but the companies have been able to achieve leakage targets as a result of a well-developed understanding of the causes of leakage and the methods to manage it. This paper describes how the level of water loss is assessed in England and Wales and the basis for comparing water company performance. Subdivision of water loss into different components has played a major role in understanding its causes and the choice of options for managing it. The principle of the economic level of leakage is described as well as some of the difficulties in calculating it. Typical water loss management activities as carried out by the water companies of England and Wales are presented in this paper demonstrating how the component-based thinking translates to activity on the ground. Finally, the future of water loss management in England and Wales is discussed. Includes 9 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

01/01/2002

Number of Pages:

13

File Size:

1 file , 180 KB