Page 69 - Water Loss Control

CHAPTER 5

Steps and Components of a

Water Loss Control Program

Reinhard Sturm
Julian Thornton
George Kunkle, P.E.

5.1 Introduction
There are many factors such as financial constrains, infrastructure condition, skills and
technologies available, cultural and political conditions all of which are influencing a
utility’s ability to manage water losses. However, it should be the aim of every water util-
ity to improve the current operational practice in order to achieve higher efficiency and
to be able to provide better service to the clients. A water loss control program is without
doubt an excellent tool to improve efficiency and the service provided. In order to imple-
ment a water loss control program it is first necessary to understand and assess the prob-
lem through a diagnostic approach and then design and implement actions/programs to
solve the problem. This principle applies to any water company in the world.
This chapter will provide an overview on the various steps and components of a
water loss control program. The content is kept brief since all components of a water
loss control program will be discussed in detail in following chapters. This chapter
should serve as a road map for the reader to understand the general concept and steps
involved in a water loss control program. Figure 5.1 depicts a road map of a water loss
control program.

5.2 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Water Loss Assessment—How Much
Water Are We Loosing and Where?
On of the most important parts of a water loss control program is to assess and under-
stand the components of water loss. However, it is equally important to understand
that the accuracy of each calculated water loss volume depends on the accuracy and
quality of data used for the calculations. Hence, data validation plays a key role in the
assessment of water loss volumes.

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