Water Audit Presentation

Welcome
Hawaiì Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Introductions

Hawaiì Rural Water Association
• Training
• Operator Certification
• On Site Technical
Assistance
• Assistance with
Regulatory Compliance
• Non Profit
www.hrwa.net
Manual
• Hawaiì Commission on Water Resource
Management
• American Water Works Association
• International Water Association
• Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Georgia Environmental
• Protection Division, Georgia Watershed
Protection Branch
• Hawaiì Rural Water Association

AWWA Water Audit Definitions and
Concepts
What is a Water Audit?

AWWA Water Audit Definitions and Concepts
Definitions and Concepts

Water audits are the first step in a three‐
step process for controlling water loss
• Water Audit
• Intervention
• Evaluation

Summary of Data Needs, Action Items, and Performance Indicators of a Water Loss Program
The Importance of Metering

Step 2 Intervention
Interventions are actions taken by a water system to identify the specific
sources of water loss and implement solutions. These actions can include :
• Preventive measures such as design standards and effective maintenance
• Reliable construction and design standards
• Meter installation, testing and replacement
• Leakage management
• Pressure management


Step 3 Evaluation
• Were the goals of the intervention met? If not, why not?

• Where do we need more information?
• How often should we repeat the Audit, Intervention and Evaluation process?
• Is there another performance indicator we should consider?
• How did we compare to the last Audit, Intervention and Evaluation process?
• How can we improve performance?


Benchmarking
• Monitor Water Loss Performance

• Comparison to other systems
• Numerically evaluate the system


AWWA IWA Method Evolution
• Technical : Not all water supplied by a water utility reaches the

customer
• Financial: Not all of the water that reaches the customer is properly
measured or paid for
• Terminology: Historically a lack of standardized definitions of water
and revenue losses
Water Audit Method
To create a water balance, where theoretically there is no unaccounted for water

Performance Indicators -Evaluate utilities on system-specific attributes such as:
• The average pressure in the distribution system
• Total length of water mains
• Allow water utilities to make a meaningful assessment of their water loss
standing
• Benchmark themselves with other water utilities
• Set performance targets
Result: quantify type of loss occurred and cost. All Water Is Quantified.

Water Balance
Definitions and Performance Indicators
The following are standardized definitions and performance

indicators used in the IWA/AWWA Water Audit Methodology.
Some definitions may vary slightly between water providers
based on political decisions and internal billing policies.


Water Losses: The difference between System Input
Volume and Authorized Consumption, consisting of
Apparent Losses plus Real Losses.
Apparent Losses: Unauthorized Consumption, all types of

customer metering inaccuracies, and systematic data
handling errors in customer billing operations.
Real Losses: The annual volumes lost through all types of

leaks and breaks in water mains and service connections,
up to the point of customer metering. Real losses also
include overflows and leaks from treated water storage
tanks.

Examples of Real Losses
Water Main Leakage:

• Confirmed and documented losses from water main breaks
• water main leaks
• leaking valves
• leaking/broken hydrants and similar physical problems.
Example: seepage from a worn or damaged gasket or slightly offset

pipe joint.

Service Line Leakage:
A common source of leakage, some customer
meters are located a considerable distance from
the main.

Storage Tank Leakage:
• Typically this is an operational leak
• faulty or improperly set altitude valves
• leaking pumps
• appurtenances like Air or Pressure Relief Valves.
• Direct tank leakage such as cracked floor, leaking
joints etc.


A word about Cost
Water Loss comes in 2 forms: Real and Apparent.
1. Real Loss = Leakage. Cost is calculated at a ‘wholesale’ rate.
2. Apparent Loss = Slow meters, billing issues and theft. Cost is calculated at a
‘retail’ rate.


Authorized Consumption: The annual
volume of metered and/or unmetered
water consumed by registered
customers, the water supplier, and
others who are authorized to do so.
Hawaiì Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training Explanation of why the term “Unaccounted for

Revenue Water: The components of the System Input
Volume that are billed and produce revenue.
Nonrevenue Water: The sum of Unbilled Authorized

Consumption, Apparent Losses and Real Losses. The term
Nonrevenue Water should be used instead of the imprecise
term Unaccounted-for Water. It is recognized that some of
this component water of Nonrevenue water is authorized
consumption (unbilled).

Validation:
• The process of validation confirms the integrity of the
component water consumption and loss values in the water
audit.
• The validation of all performance indicators and values used in
the determination of these indicators is of utmost importance.
• Data of low validity will lead to inaccurate performance
indicator values and poor guidance for the water utility.
• No matter how sound the auditing process, poor data gives an
inaccurate picture of the water system and its performance.
The Water Audit Data Validity Level/Score:

• This is a composite rating of a utility’s confidence and
accuracy of data entered into the AWWA Free Water Audit
Software©.
• A lower score means the data is less reliable and the utility
should focus on improving its data inputs so the software can
accurately assess the system water losses.
• It is much better to have a high data accuracy score and a
moderate ILI score than to have a low data score and ILI of
“1”.

Performance Indicators
A score used to quantify a standing
• Apparent Losses Performance

Indicator
• Real Loses Performance Indicator
• Non Revenue Water by Cost
• Non Revenue Water by Volume
• Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)



Apparent Losses Performance Indicator [gal/service
connection/day]:
• Assesses Apparent Losses
• Normalizing the apparent losses calculated through
the water audit provides the water utility with a
mechanism to monitor these losses as system
conditions change and as water loss control
measures are implemented.

Real Losses Performance Indicator (Intermediate
Determination) [gal/service connection/day/psi]: If the water
system connection density is less than 32/mi, then use [gal/mi of
mains/day/psi]. More detailed than previous calculation because
system pressure is included in calculation (psi) and useful for
target setting within a single water system.


Real Losses Performance Indicator (Basic Determination)
[gal/service connection/day]: If the water system
connection density is less than 32/mi, then use [gal/miles
of mains/day]. Useful for target setting within a single
water system.


Nonrevenue water by Cost: Performance Indicator: The value
of non-revenue water as a percentage of the annual cost of
running the system. This is a good financial indicator that
quantifies the financial impact to the water utility from losses
when broken down into authorized and unauthorized
components. This indicator could be used when issuing bonds,
setting water rates, or other financial functions.
Nonrevenue Water by Volume: This indicator has value as a

very basic, high-level financial indicator; however, it is
misleading to employ this indicator as a measure of
operational efficiency. This indicator should not be used for
performance tracking, system comparisons, or
benchmarking.

Unavoidable Annual Real Losses (UARL): Reported in
gallons, based on miles of mains, number of service
connections, total length of customer service
connection pipe from curb stop to customer meter, and
average system pressure. The UARL is a theoretical
reference value representing the technical low limit of
leakage that would exist in a distribution even if all of
today’s best leakage control technology could be
successfully applied in that system.


The UARL is not a performance indicator but is
used as the denominator in calculating the
Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI). No system can
achieve zero water loss because water
distribution systems are not perfectly sealed. The
UARL is a system-specific calculation that varies
among systems as the miles of pipe increases,
system pressure changes, connections are
added/lost, and other system changes are made.

Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI): The ILI is calculated by dividing Current
Annual Real Losses (CARL) by UARL. (ratio of CARL to UARL) The ILI is the best
performance indicator for benchmarking leakage within an individual water
provider because it is a dimensionless performance indicator.
It is important to remember that the ILI is only one measure of system

efficiency. One must look at anomalies such as large single occurrence leaks
and any other outlying factors when assessing all water losses.

Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)
CARL= Current Annual Real Loss
(current leakage)
UARL= Unavoidable Annual Real Loss

(theoretical low limit of leakage)
ILI = CARL > 1.0

UARL

Operational Basic Real Losses (Op24): Performance
indicator for systems with less than 3,000 service
connections and service connection densities of less
than 32/mi. This indicator is defined as gal/miles of
water main/day.


Term Redefinition
Water Loss Control Terms
Redefined
• Why the terms 'unaccounted-for' water

and 'unaccounted-for percentage’ don’t
work.
• Instead it suggested to use AWWAs term,

Non- Revenue Water (NRW)

Term Redefinition
• The concept is to identify the collective volume of water that
a water utility supplies to its distribution system that is not
• reflected in customer billing volumes.
• But Definitions got fuzzy and were inconsistent from system

to system
• Redefine Unaccounted to Non-Revenue

Term Redefinition
The term "Non-revenue" Water is defined to reflect the distributed volume of
water that is not reflected in customer billings. Non-revenue Water however,
is specifically defined as the sum of Unbilled Authorized Consumption (water
for firefighting, flushing, etc.) plus Apparent Losses (customer meter
inaccuracies, unauthorized consumption and systematic data handling errors)
plus Real Losses (system leakage and storage tank overflows).In this way, the
term "Non-revenue” Water includes the sum of the varied and disparate
types of losses and authorized unbilled consumption typically occurring in
water utilities.

Term Redefinition
Problems with the performance indicator 'unaccounted-for percentage’
Some water utilities attempt to express their water loss standing by quoting their
"unaccounted-for" percentage, which typically takes some form of:
(Volume of Water Supplied minus Volume of Customer Billed Water) / (Volume of Water
Supplied)
Some will alternatively quote the inverse, referred to as the "metered water ratio," as
(Volume of Customer Billed Water) / (Volume of Water Supplied)

Term Redefinition
Water Utility
6 MGD Delivered
5 MGD BILLED

Term Redefinition
In this case, it is taken that
the sum of unbilled authorized consumption, apparent losses and real losses in the
water utility average 1 mgd (6 mgd – 5 mgd). The simple "unaccounted-for"
percentage is calculated as: UAF % = (6-5) / 6 = 16.67%
Water Utility
6 MGD Delivered
5 MGD BILLED
Term Redefinition
Assume that a beverage bottling plant is constructed in the community and launches
operation as a very large water consumer that draws an average of 1.5 mgd from the water
utility. The water utility now produces an additional 1.5 mgd and bills 1.5 mgd more than
previously. The UF% is calculated as: UAF % = (7.5-6.5) / 7.5 = 13.33%
Bottling Plant
Water Utility
7.5 MGD Delivered
6.5 MGD BILLED

Term Redefinition
Comparing the two percentage values, its appears that the water utility has improved its water loss standing
by 3.34%
Improvement = 16.67% - 13.33% = 3.34% difference compared to : UAF % = (6-5) / 6 = 16.67%
However, the volume of non-revenue water remains the
same at 1 mgd after the bottling plant is established. The
volume of non-revenue water is unchanged, but the UAF% Bottling Plant
misleadingly suggests that the utility’s water loss control
has improved. Water Utility
7.5 MGD Delivered
Because the volume of customer consumption has changed
(increased) relative to the loss volume the percentage 1 MGD LOSS
decreases, despite no change in the non-revenue water
volume of 1 mgd. 6.5 MGD BILLED

UAF
NON REV

Two types of Water Audit Approaches:
Top-Down Approach – Analysis of system using information from

records, procedures, data, etc.
Bottom-Up Approach – Validating the top-down results with actual

field measurements, physical inspections, and flowcharting billing
systems.


Bottom Up Audit Approach can be more labor intensive
• Implemented after top down audits to • Records Examination

better quantify smaller volumes • Flow Monitoring
• Finds Apparent and Real Losses • Condition Assessment
• Physical verification • Hydraulic modeling
• Estimating water use in municipal
operations
• Leak Detection
• to predict leaks


Water Loss Reduction Plans
• Plan for reducing water losses

• Targets the losses identified by an audit (or several audits)
• Cost benefit analyses should be performed to choose the best
options for the system
• The finalized plan must outline the measures that will be taken to
further identify and reduce both real and apparent water losses
• Implementation schedule


Possible Targets may include:
• A plan for improved water accounting

• A plan for improved metering
• A plan for improved loss control
• A plan for improved pressure management
• A plan for improved overflow prevention
• A plan for improved consumer education
• An implementation schedule

Concepts
Mitigating Apparent Losses
Water utility managers can address these losses by first assessing their
policies and mapping the workings of the customer billing system.
• Do policy loopholes exist that allow water to be taken without the
knowledge and authorization of the utility?
• Do all customers exist with an account in the customer billing system
(whether or not the system is metered)?
• Are customer meters replaced before they lose accuracy from wear? Is
meter reading accurate and complete?

Mitigating Apparent Losses
Taking time to compile a flow chart of current activities and

comparing them to the expectations for revenue recovery
usually uncovers a number of shortcomings that can be
corrected to recover lost water and revenue. Often these
corrections require inexpensive procedural or programming
changes that can recoup considerable uncaptured revenue and
successfully launch a water loss control program.
Mitigating Real Losses

Many drinking water systems employ a reactive leakage response and
most likely have excessive leakage that will never be reliably contained.
Controlling leakage effectively relies upon a proactive leakage

management program that includes a means to
• identify hidden leaks
• optimize repair functions
• manage excessive water pressure levels
• and upgrade piping infrastructure before its useful life ends

Benefits of an Audit
Benefits of an audit include improved knowledge and
documentation of the distribution system including the
identification of problem or risk areas. By providing a better
understanding of what happens to the water after it leaves
the treatment plant, an audit can be a valuable tool to
manage resources.


Benefits of an Audit
• Reduction in Source Water Withdrawals
• Reduction in Operational Costs
According to the American Water Works Association, water audit
programs ultimately lead to reduced water losses, financial
improvement, increased knowledge of the distribution system, more
efficient use of existing supplies, increased safety for public health and
property, improved public relations, reduced legal liability, and reduced
disruption to customers.


Benefits of a Water Loss Reduction Plan
• Reduction of lost commodity
• reduced leak-associated risks
• limiting the liability resulting from the failure to address leaks.


Risks associated with not implementing a loss reduction plan include the
potential for the following to occur:
• Small problems that eventually cause major outages and the need for
emergency repairs
• Excessive wasted capacity
• Water theft (or dead meters)
• Roadway or foundation collapse
• Personal property damage
• Threats from cross connections as they are a direct conduit into the
distribution system when fluctuations in pressure occurs


• Benefits
• $200 Billion on water systems over next 20 years to upgrade transmission
and distribution systems
• Of this $97 Billion (29%) is estimated for water loss control
• Average Water Loss is 16 % of which up to 75% is recoverable.
i. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey Fact Sheet , EPA 816‐F‐
09‐003. http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/dwns/factsheet.cfm.
ii Thornton, J., Sturm, R., Kunkel, G., Water Loss Control Manual (2nd Edition), McGraw‐Hill, 2008.

End of Section
Break
Next Section: Where to Get Data for your Audit and Building Your Team

Where to Get Data for your Audit and Building Your Team
Where to Get Data for your Audit

and Building Your Team
• Has your utility conducted a Water Audit it the past?
• What methods were used?
• Many utilities will conduct this audit and realize they were not
keeping records in a way to be evaluated by this process
• Identify Needs of Data Collection

Identify Needs
Break Down the Data Needs by Division
• Production/System Input Records

• Consumption/Metering data
• Billing system related Financial
• Operations/System Use
• Construction Project Data
• Other Agencies or Municipalities ( ex. Fire)

Identify Needs

Identify Needs

Identify Needs

Identify Needs

Identify Needs

Identify Needs
1.Measure Supply
1.Identify and map Sources
2.Measure water from each source
3.Adjust Figures for total supply

Identify Needs
2. Measure authorized metered use

1. Identify metered uses
2. Measure metered use
3. Adjust figures for metered use

Identify Needs
3. Measure authorized unmetered use

1. Identified unmetered uses
2. Estimate Authorized unmetered use

Identify Needs
4. Measure Water Losses

1. Identify potential water losses
2. Estimate losses

Identify Needs
5. Analyze Audit Results

1. Identify Recoverable Leakage
2. Figure the value of Recoverable Leakage
3. Figure cost of Recoverable Leakage
4. Calculate the cost of leak detection

Identify Needs
Finally, Analyze the value of losses and corrective measures
Choose corrective actions influenced by factors:

• Where losses occur
• How much water is lost in each problem area
• What action is needed to reduce water loss
• The cost of reducing water loss
• Savings that will result from reducing water loss
• Timetable for implementation

Data for Audit and Building Team
Cooperation with Agencies Examples

• Fire Department –
Estimate use at training facility, fires, and for hydrant flow testing
• Not only will you use an Internal • Construction Management – Participate on the internal data
collection team
Team • Meter Maintenance also on the internal team ‐ % of efficiency
• Multi Agency Teams from the bench tested meters
• System Maintenance - Flushing and Leaks.
• Leak detection staff - annual report
Non Revenue Water • Billing system staff – responsible for creation and pulling of
several reports
Cooperation in documenting any
breaks or unauthorized unbilled use
and losses

Data Input
An introduction to how you will use your information
with the software

DATA for Input

Water Supplied Data
• Volume from Own Sources – The volume of treated water input to system from own production facilities
• Master meter adjustment - An estimate or measure of the degree of any inaccuracy that exists in the master meters
measuring the Volume from own sources. Can be because the master meters under-registered (did not capture all the
flow) or over-registered (overstated the actual flow). All systems encounter some degree of error in their Master Meter
data.
• Water Imported - Bulk water purchased to become part of the water supplied. Typically this is water purchased from a
neighboring water utility or regional water authority. Be sure to account for any import meter inaccuracy in reporting this
volume.
• Water Exported - Bulk water sold and conveyed out of the water distribution system. Typically this is water sold to a
neighboring water utility. Be sure to account for any export meter inaccuracy in reporting this volume.
• Water Supplied - Is calculated based on your input

Where to Get Data for your Audit and Building
DATA for Input

Water Supplied Data
• Source Flow Information

• Metered Data
• Accuracy Testing Data
• Electronic Calibration
Rate your confidence of its validity

Rate the Confidence of your Input (1- 10) Based on the Grading Matrix
Grading
n/a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Less than 25% of At least 75% of treated water

100% of treated water 100% of treated water
water production 25% - 50% of 50% - 75% of production sources are metered, or
Select this grading only if production sources are production sources are
sources are treated water treated water at least 90% of the source flow is
the water utility Condition metered, meter accuracy Condition metered, meter accuracy
Volume metered, production sources Conditions production sources Conditions derived from metered sources.
purchases/imports all of s testing and electronic s testing and electronic
from own remaining are metered; other between are metered, other between Meter accuracy testing and/or
its water resources (i.e. between calibration conducted between calibration conducted
sources: sources are sources estimated. 2 and 4 sources estimated. 4 and 6 electronic calibration conducted
has no sources of its 6 and 8 annually, less than 10% of 8 and 10 semi-annually, with less
estimated. No No regular meter Occasional meter annually. Less than 25% of tested
own) meters are found outside than 10% found outside
regular meter accuracy testing. accuracy testing meters are found outside of +/- 6%
of +/- 6% accuracy of +/- 3% accuracy.
accuracy testing. accuracy.

DATA for Input

Authorized Consumption
• Billed Metered - All metered consumption which is billed. This includes all groups of customers such as domestic, commercial, industrial
or institutional. It does NOT include water sold to neighboring utilities (water exported) which is metered and billed. The metered
consumption data can be taken directly from billing records for the water audit period. The accuracy of yearly metered consumption
data can be refined by including an adjustment to account for customer meter reading lagtime, however additional analysis is necessary
to determine the adjustment value, which may or may not be significant.
• Billed Unmetered - All billed consumption which is calculated based on estimates or norms but is not metered. This might be a very small
component in fully metered systems (for example billing based on estimates for the period a customer meter is out of order) but can be
the key consumption component in systems without universal metering.
• Unbilled Metered - Metered Consumption which is for any reason unbilled. This might for example include metered consumption of the
utility itself or water provided to institutions free of charge.
• Unbilled Unmetered - Any kind of Authorized Consumption which is neither billed nor metered. This component typically includes items
such as fire fighting, flushing of mains and sewers, street cleaning, frost protection, etc. In most water utilities it is a small component
which is very often substantially overestimated. Default value of 1.25


Shaded is calculated for you
DATA for Input
Water Losses (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption)
Apparent Losses
Enter Cust. Metering

As percentage, Default of 2 %
Systematic Data Handling errors
Are estimated at 5 MGY
System Data


DATA for Input
System Data
Length of Mains: Total length of water distribution pipelines, including fire hydrant leads, except service connections. This
length does not include customer service laterals to the curb stop or meter.
Number of Active and Inactive Service Connections: These include all physical service connection lines, not just the number
of accounts in the system because one account could have multiple connections. In the calculation of UARL, this number
takes into account the length of service laterals.
Average Length of Customer Service Line: This number should be zero for all Hawai’i water utilities unless the meter is
located within the house (which is typically only done in cold weather climates).
Average Operating Pressure: The average pressure may be approximated when compiling the preliminary water audit. Once
routine water auditing has been established, a more accurate assessment of average pressure should be pursued. If the
water utility infrastructure is recorded in a Geographical Information System (GIS) the average pressure at many locations in
the distribution system can be readily obtained. If a GIS does not exist, a weighted average of pressure data can be
calculated from water pressure measured at various fire hydrants scattered across the water distribution system.


DATA for Input
System Data


DATA for Input
Cost Data
Total Annual Cost of Operating Water System: include all the costs for operating just the water system, as stated in its
definition in the Definitions tab. Additional costs to consider include shared equipment, bond paybacks, and wholesale water
purchases. Costs to operate wastewater, biosolids, or other non-potable water operations should not be included.
Customer Retail Unit Cost: is the charge that customers pay for water. Be sure to apply the correct units that match the
billing units; for example, if water volumes are in million Gallons, the cost should be presented in $/1,000 Gallons. With
tiered water rates, a weighted average is recommended. The weighted-average may simply be calculated by dividing the total
year end revenue from water sales by the total Gallons produced. The customer retail unit cost should NOT include additional
charges for sewer, storm water, or bio solids processing if these are based on water consumption. Although these charges are
based upon the volume of potable water consumed, they will skew the results for the priority areas for attention.
Variable Production Cost: The current unit cost to treat and distribute water to the system. Include the costs associated with
production of water: electrical charges for wells, booster pumps and treatment facilities, chemical costs and wholesale water
purchases. Divide the total cost by the volume of water produced. Be sure to keep units matching


Interpreting Results
Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)

Water Audit Data Validity Score
Priority Areas for Attention
Normalized Real Loss Indicator

Where to Get Data for your Audit and

Building Your Team
Continue Building Team
Continue to add participants

– There are far more people involved then you realize
– More folks involved equals more accurate data


Building Your Team
Continue Building Team
Always evaluating data collection methods

-- Realizing new needs to consider
– Billing Systems
– Meters
– Software
– Work order systems


Building Your Team
Who’s Responsibility
The responsibility is spread out

– Billing system department generate reports
– System maintenance tracks activities and provides a report
– Other entities as well coordinate its data provision activities
Point person for coordination and data entry as well

as data verification and team coordination
Possible funding for water conservation programs

End of Section
Next Section : Hands On Software Exercise

AWWA Free Water Audit Software Demo
AWWA Free Water Audit Software

Demonstration
Begin by opening the Free AWWA Water Audit Software which can be
downloaded at their website
Type
www.awwa.org
And use their search box to find Water Audit Software
Show example


Demonstration
Data Set Handouts
Refer to 2011 validated water audit data from

AWWA Water Loss Control Committee


Demonstration

Hands-on Audit Software Team
Exercise with Sample Data
• Focus on how your system may relate to sample data
• Enter the data
• Interpret Results
• Look at our priority areas
• Skew numbers for validity

AWWA Free Water Audit Software Demonstration

• Priority Areas for Attention are listed in order of “suggested” importance with the first being the area identified
by the software that the utility should focus efforts on to improve the water audit data and results for the next year.
These priority areas are determined based on the data grading entered in the reporting spreadsheet. The utility
should focus on improving data collection in the suggested three priority areas for attention given by the software.
By addressing one or more of these areas, the utility’s data validity score and/or the validity of the performance
indicators – including the ILI – will improve. For example, if the first priority area listed was billed metered, the
utility would focus on improving the percent of customers with volume-based meters installed; in turn, the utility’s
data confidence for this input would increase, thus improving the overall data validity score and the validity of the
calculated ILI value. Addressing these priority areas may help the utility use resources effectively to improve its
water audit results. These priorities do not represent areas that need to be addressed to reduce any particular loss.
at the following American Water Works Association website: www.awwa.org


• Normalized Real Loss Indicator is a performance indicator that may gain greater
prominence moving forward as the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee is promoting a
new structure of leakage classifications (Gallons per connection per day or Gallons per
mile per day for smaller systems) The Loss Control Planning tab should be used for
suggestions on how to improve a utility’s data validity score. The AWWA M36 Manual
Water Audits and Loss Control Programs is another reference to assist with implementing
water loss control measures to improve the validity of the water audit and reliability of the
calculated performance indicators.


The ILI calculated by the AWWA Free Water Audit Software© is a very important
benchmark for water system planning. As mentioned previously, it can also be used as a
target setting- mechanism, but only for water systems just starting their water auditing
process. Each water system should determine their own target ILI, based on operational,
financial and water resources considerations. The target-setting assessment is unique to
each system, so no system should utilize a leak reduction target established for another
system.

Target ILI Range Water Resources Considerations Financial Considerations Operational Considerations
1.0 – 3.0 Available resources are greatly limited and are Water resources are costly to Operating with leakage above this level would
very difficult and/or environmentally unsound to develop or purchase require expansion of infrastructure or new
develop water resources
3.0 – 5.0 Resources are sufficient if good demand Water resources can be developed Existing supply infrastructure is sufficient as
management measures are in place or purchased at reasonable long as leakage is controlled
expense
5.0 – 8.0 Water resources are plentiful, reliable and easily Cost to purchase or obtain/treat Superior reliability, capacity and integrity of
extracted water is low, as are rates charged infrastructure make the system immune to
to customers supply shortages
Greater than Although operational and financial considerations may allow a long-term ILI great than 8.0, such a level is not an effective utilization
8.0 of water as a resource. Setting a target level greater than 8.0 – other than as an incremental goal to a smaller long- term target – is
discouraged.
Less than 1.0 If the calculated ILI value is 1.0 or less, two possibilities exist: a) world class low leakage levels are being maintained, or b) a portion
of the data may be flawed.

Data Validity and Its Importance
Data Validity
1. A quantitative measure of the reliability of your audit.
2. Quantified on a scale of 100.
3. Provides context to the audit, and guidance for – what are my next steps?

End of Section
Break for Lunch

Welcome Back
Next Section: Hands on Audit Software Team Exercise with Sample Data


Data Validity tells us the reliability of the data – most
important indicator in the audit
Utilities with a lower Data Validity should focus program

efforts on data collection and validation until the overall data
quality becomes more reliable.


Utilities with higher Data Validity can trust their data to serve
as the basis for budgetary decisions on major loss control
initiatives such as leakage management controls or wholesale
customer meter replacement.
Reliable data can also be benchmarked against data from

other utilities with reliable data.


Grading Matrix

A North American dataset of validated water audit data is being built, to establish industry benchmarks for
water loss.


Improving Data Validity
• Providing clear and routine procedures for gathering

and reporting data
• The goal must be the establishment of the AWWA
method as a routine business procedure


• Inherent demand-side conservation that occurs due to

increased utility staff awareness
• Let staff members know how their data plays a role in
measuring overall system performance
• Establishing a flowchart of who provides the data (and
why)

AWWA recommends the following practices and ranks the Water

Audit inputs in a suggested order of maximum impact to the
validity of the output.


• Meter all finished (production) water inputs.
• Testing and calibration - both flow and instrumentation - of all

finished water meters on at least an annual basis.
• Computerized billing data should be digitally archived for easy
retrieval and analysis.


• Conduct periodic flow-charting audits of the information flow in the
Customer Billing System in order to uncover any gaps or omissions that allow
water supply to go unbilled, or under-billed.
• Development of a routine meter testing program that serves as the basis of a
customer meter replacement program that considers meters’ cumulative
consumption limits on accuracy, as well as meter age.


• Develop clear written policies and procedures for supplying all unbilled,
unmetered but authorized consumption.
• Estimate all unmetered consumption, based on formula of typical flow
rate times typical time.
• Fully document any estimated consumption calculations.


• Validate estimated consumption calculations by metering a statistically
significant representative sample size of estimated customer accounts.
• Minimize estimated authorized consumption, move towards 100%
metered connections as budget allows.


Implemented mandatory Water Audit Method as of 2010
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Washington
• California Urban Conservation Council
• Tennessee
• Delaware River Basin Commission
• Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission


Hands-on Audit Software Team
Exercise with Sample Data
Questions and Discussion

End of Section
Break
Next Section: Water Loss Program Development Resources

Water Loss Program Development Resources

Finance Sources for Water Audits and Water Loss Control Plans
Public Financing Options
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) provides loans, grants and loan guarantees for
drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities
and towns of 10,000 or less. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and recognized Indian
tribes may qualify for assistance. WEP also makes grants to nonprofit organizations to provide
technical assistance and training to assist rural communities with their water, wastewater, and
solid waste problems.

Tim O’Connell
USDA Rural Development
Assistant to the State Director
808-933-8313
Tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov
154 Waianuenue Ave., Rm. 303, Hilo, HI 96720

The State of Hawaii, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
This program was established by the 1997 State Legislature as the result
of the 1996 Federal amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. This
program provides low interest loans to Hawaii’s four County water
departments for the construction of drinking water infrastructure
projects.


Private Financing Options
Through Performance Contracting, water utilities can pay for water loss control projects
provided by a qualified contractor from the projected water savings of that project resulting in
cost neutral undertaking. The projected savings must meet or exceed the cost of the project,
and the contractor is responsible for any shortfall that may occur.
The benefits to a water utility include preserving limited budget dollars which can be used for
other needed services and activities, paying for needed capital water improvements from
water and energy savings and reducing high maintenance costs due to inadequate, aging, or
obsolete infrastructure.


Private Loans or Bonds
While “water loss control work" is usually accomplished from operating

funds, water utilities are also accustomed to accessing the municipal
bond market or securing private loans. The municipal bond market can
be accessed to implement water audits, leak detection and leak
abatement programs which will amortize the costs of such programs
over 20 years or more and thus may result in a more cost-effective
program.

Operating Funds
Most utilities fund water loss assessments and leakage
management programs from their annual operating budgets.
This approach is an effective strategy for ongoing water loss
management. This approach allows the utility to keep their real
water losses low and avoid large scale capital projects which
require significant expenditure and debt.

Water Loss Program Development

Resources
For more information on the water loss control programs:
• The Hawaii Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Manual
Page 44 - Controlling Real Water Losses: Leakage & Pressure Management Programs
• The “M” Series: Manuals of Practice – Guidance Manuals: widely recognized around the world as source of best
practices in water utility operations and management
• AWWA Water Loss Control Committee’s Free Water Audit Software©– Originally released 2006; current Version
4.2 software (2010)
• Water Research Foundation Research Reports
• Textbooks
• www.awwa.com

Water Loss Program Development

Resources
Guest speakers

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Welcome

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

What is a Water Audit?

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Concepts

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Concepts

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Concepts

• Were the goals of the intervention met? If not, why not?

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Concepts

• Monitor Water Loss Performance

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Concepts

• Technical : Not all water supplied by a water utility reaches the

To create a water balance, where theoretically there is no unaccounted for water

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

The following are standardized definitions and performance

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Apparent Losses: Unauthorized Consumption, all types of

Real Losses: The annual volumes lost through all types of

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Water Main Leakage:

Example: seepage from a worn or damaged gasket or slightly offset

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

1. Real Loss = Leakage. Cost is calculated at a ‘wholesale’ rate.

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Nonrevenue Water: The sum of Unbilled Authorized

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Definitions and Performance Indicators

The Water Audit Data Validity Level/Score:

Definitions and Performance Indicators

• Apparent Losses Performance

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Nonrevenue Water by Volume: This indicator has value as a

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Definitions and Performance Indicators

It is important to remember that the ILI is only one measure of system

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training

UARL= Unavoidable Annual Real Loss

ILI = CARL > 1.0

Definitions and Performance Indicators

Hawai`i Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Training