Water Loss Update

In November of 2014 a presentation was made to city council concerning the huge amount of treated water was being lost in the distribution system. (see below) A balance of 131 million gallons was unaccounted for in 2013. At first the administration challenged the numbers but eventually accepted the facts. Included in the presentation was the comment that there are many leak detection companies that could be contacted and bought in to solve this years old accelerating and expensive problem.

Fast forward to April 2015. Aqualine a municipal water systems leak specialist had been awarded an estimated $12,000 contract by the Water department to pinpoint any significant leaks in the 100 miles of lines of the distribution system.

Following are some important items gleaned from the company's final report.

a. A total of 17 leaks were detected.

b. These leaks created a total daily loss of 304,775 gallons of treated water. [111 million gallons per year.]

c. “Once the leaks are repaired (repairs have already been completed) the city will be saving approximately $475 per day in water production costs. [$173,375 per year]

d. The payback time for the cost of the contract is a mere 26 days and will provide significant savings for years to come.

In the midterm it is hoped that the savings will be applied to the water department debt and make an eventual water rate decrease possible.

Paul Hunter

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Shocking Water Loss

Presentation to city council 11/6/14

In 2013, 131.32 million gallons of treated water was unaccounted for.

I may be accused of beating a dead horse but in my opinion the importance of this matter requires further study and action.

I note that the administration is now taking an added interest in this water loss problem.

After several days of searching the public record and talking with utility billing and water department personnel I collected the following historical data for 2013 that is included in the handout.

To review the numbers:

From the water department: 557 million gallons of treated water was delivered to the distribution system.

From utility billing office – 396.8 MG of treated water was sold.

The difference between water delivered and water sold was 160.7 MG.

Data on the back of the handout shows that in 2013 the unsold total of 29% was the highest amount over the past twelve years. I am unable to validate the RCAP consultant's conclusion, quote: “the amount of non-revenue water has been relatively stable with a four year average of 18.5%”

Non-revenue distribution is only part of my audit story. There are some known or metered outputs that must be added to the equation.

Authorized non-revenue distribution:

The water department used 27.1 MG*

From the utility billing department:

Waste water, city building & other city accounts use 2.37 MG of metered but not charged treated water.

This leave a balance of 131.32 MG

The balance of the treated water is non metered and, as indicated, only guesswork can provide an explanation for the loss

Some of this loss can be attributed to legitimate uses including fire hydrant flush, fire suppression, sprinkler tests etc: Some erroneous meter functions can be expected but 10% or around 500 meters are checked each year and 100 meters are replaced.

All non metered-not accounted for treated water equals 23.5% of all treated water in 2013. Again, quoting RCAP, “Water loss under 15% is considered acceptable

Quoting an EPA web site,”Average water loss in systems is 16% of which 75% is recoverable.”

Some leakage is to be expected but In my uneducated opinion a 24% loss rate is more than just excessive it's shocking!

The loss represents thousands of dollars per year in wasted treatment costs.

When the automatic flushing fire hydrant conversion is completed, more non-revenue water will be expended adding to the current problem.

This information is valid and action should be taken as outlined in the included internet link.

I am not aware of any attempts to contract for a professional, municipal leak detection service but it might be money well spent. There are many of them out there. Are their any questions?