Page 79 - Water Loss Control

CHAPTER 6

Validation of Source

Meter Accuracy

George Kunkel, P.E.
Julian Thornton
Reinhard Sturm

6.1 The Importance of Source Meter Accuracy to the Integrity
of the Water Audit and Loss Control Program
The standard water audit methodology adopted by the International Water Association
(IWA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is structured to track a
water supply through the water treatment and distribution process, to its arrival at the
customer endpoint. In the standard IWA/AWWA water balance, the volume of water
labeled as water supplied holds paramount impor-
tance in this assessment. This volume, which is
derived from source meters (also known as produc-
tion or master meters), constitutes the amount of The validity of the water audit
water input to the water distribution system. The is greatly influenced by the
broad comparison of the water supplied volume to accuracy of the water supplied
billed authorized consumption gives the amount of
value because this is the first
nonrevenue water occurring in the audit period. major value placed into the
The validity of the water audit is greatly influenced
water audit. Any error in this
by the accuracy of the water supplied value because
this is the first major value placed into the water value will be carried through-
audit. Any error in this value is carried throughout out the entire water audit and
the entire water audit and imparts its uncertainty potentially impart its uncertainty
upon the values of apparent losses and real losses. It upon the values of apparent
is therefore imperative that the water utility take losses and real losses.
steps to ensure a solid level of validity in the water
supplied value.
Accurately measured source flows are critical to the efficient operations of water
utilities and wise resource management as overseen by regulatory agencies. Therefore

61
Copyright © 2008, 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use.