Page 47 - Water Loss Control

Understanding the Types of W ater Losses 29

Fiscal Year, Philadelphia uncovered 2984 accounts that had been illegally restored, and
was able to collect $341,000 in missing revenue in motivating delinquent customers to
make payment. With its AMR system meter reading and consumption continue to be
monitored even if an account has been shut off for nonpayment. In contrast to the U.S.
experience, regulations do not allow water companies in England and Wales to termi-
nate water service to customers under any circumstances.
Unauthorized consumption has also been known to occur when persons find ways
of withdrawing water from a location in the distribution system other than the cus-
tomer service line. With fire hydrants constructed as above ground appurtenances in
the United States, illegal opening of these devices happens regularly in many cities. In
some areas, using fire hydrants to fill street cleaning equipment, landscaper trucks, and
construction vehicles has occurred so casually that upstanding businesses perceive this
to be acceptable practice. Water utilities in such places have a public education chal-
lenge to instill the value of water as a commodity in the business community. Establish-
ing bulk water dispensaries is now common for water systems that wish to allow, and
even promote, water sales outside of the normal customer service line connection. Some
systems allow water to be used from fire hydrants in an authorized manner with the
filing of a permit. With concerns for cross connection protection and the accountability
of water, such a practice is not a preferred one for most water utilities.
All water suppliers should be mindful that the potential for unauthorized con-
sumption exists to some degree in their systems. Just as retail establishments must take
safeguards against “shoplifters,” water systems should have appropriate controls to
monitor for unauthorized consumption and keep such occurrences in check.

3.2 Conclusion
This chapter provided a general overview on the two components of water losses,
namely real and apparent losses. Both exist in every system to a certain extent, depend-
ing on the efficiency of the water utility. Both components need to be carefully assessed,
monitored, and managed in order to be able to operate at an economic optimum level.
Chapters 16 to 19 provide further details about real losses and a detailed insight into the
available intervention tools against real losses.
Chapters 11 to 15 provide further details about apparent losses and a detailed
insight into the available intervention tools against apparent losses.

References
1. International Water Association. Performance Indicators for Water Supply Services.
Manual of Best Practice. London: IWA, 2000.
2. Tardelli, J. Chapter 10. In Abastecimento de Agua. São Paulo, Brazil. Tsutiya M Escola
Politecnica, Universidade de São Paulo: 2005.
3. Grigg, S. N. Main Break Prediction, Prevention, and Control. Denver, Colo.: AWWARF,
AWWA, and IWA, 2005.
4. American Water Works Association. Water Audits and Leak Detection, 3rd ed. Manual
M36. Denver, colo: AWWA, in press.
5. American Water Works Association. Statements of Policy on Public Water Supply Matters,
Available online: http://www.awwa.org/about/oandc/officialdocs/AWWASTAT.cfm.
[Cited March 29, 2007.]