Page 65 - Water Loss Control

What is Necessary to Contr ol the W ater Loss Pr oblem? 47

As discussed, there have been many very positive changes in the U.S. water indus-
try since the start of the new millennium, with several states and regulatory authorities
adopting and/or promoting standardized water loss management. The authors believe
that it is only a matter of time until efficient water loss management is required on a
federal level in the United States, with many projected benefits for water consumers,
water utilities, and the environment.

4.5 Summary
Water loss is truly a global problem that requires focused attention and awareness from
a wide variety of stakeholders: federal, state, and local governments, water suppliers,
environmental groups, and consumers. The most successful water loss management
programs around the world exist in countries which have enacted regulations requiring
the water supplier to apply best management practices. The causes and remedies of
water and revenue loss are now well understood, and innovative technology makes
loss control efficient and cost effective. As demonstrated in a number of states in recent
years, it is now necessary for the insidious issue of water loss to assume a position of
priority on the policy and regulatory agenda of the United States.
Table 4.1 provides a comparison of general characteristics, water loss manage-ment meth-
ods, and regulatory structures in the Unites States, England and Wales, and Germany.

Parameter United States England and Wales Germany
General Characteristics
Number of water More than 59,000 23 More than 5000
suppliers
Legal form of water Great majority public Private Great majority public
suppliers
Per capita 100 to 200 gal/cap/d 38 gal/cap/d 34 gal/cap/d
consumption (376 to 752 L/cap/d) (145 L/cap/d) (130 L/cap/d)
Service density 70 to 100 con/mi 40 to 150 con/mi 40 to 150 con/mi
(44 to 63 con/km) (25 to 94 con/km) (25 to 94 con/km)
Pressure ~71 psi (50 mH) ~71 psi (50 mH) ~ 43 psi (30 mH)
Proportion of 95 to 100% 5 to 60% 95 to 100%
metered residential
customers
Break rate 250 breaks/1000 mi/ 350 breaks/1000 not collected
year mi/year
(156 breaks/1000 (219 breaks/1000
km/year) km/year
Real losses 75 gal/con/d 30 gal/con/d 19 gal/con/d 1
(282 L/con/d) (113 L/con/d) (71 L/con/d)

(Source: Ref. 4.)
TABLE 4.1 Comparison of General Characteristics of Water Loss Management Methods and Regulatory
Structures in the United States, England and Wales, and Germany (Continued)