1 nonrevenue water - current and future remedies gary harstead director – asset management united...
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NONREVENUE WATER - Current and Future Remedies
Gary HarsteadDirector – Asset ManagementUnited Water
NARUC Winter MeetingFebruary 2013
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UNITED WATER TODAY
Water and Wastewater Services– Approximately 5.7 million people served in 21
states– Drinking water provided: 955 million gallons
per day– Wastewater treated: 1,205 million gallons per
day
2,300 employees
$3.0 billion in total assets
$800 million in revenues
Wholly owned subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENt since 2000
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UNITED WATER IN THE US
Water and Wastewater Services– Approximately 5.7 million people served in 21
states– Drinking water provided: 955 million gallons
per day– Wastewater treated: 1,205 million gallons per
day
2,300 employees
$3.0 billion in total assets
$800 million in revenues
Wholly owned subsidiary of Suez Environnement since 2000
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Presentation Summary
Description of the problemDefinitions: Nonrevenue Water, not just
Unaccounted for WaterHow do the losses occur?Some solutionsA case studyPlans for the future
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NRW Reduction Drivers
NRW is a business issue– Lost revenue– Increased operating expenses
NRW is a “Sustainable Development” issue
– Waste of water resources – Waste of energy and chemicals
NRW is a Reputation Management issue– NRW is easy to understand for people. It becomes
an overall rating of a utility’s competencies
NRW reduction methods– Usually costly and difficult to implement– Have minimal impact as they address one
component of NRW at a time– Often require “change” for employees and
customers
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NRW Definition:
The percent of water introduced to the distribution network that does not produce revenue
NRW = 1- System Input – (Real Losses + Apparent Losses + Unmetered Use) System Input
Real Losses: Water lost from the network that is not used by a customer, e.g. network leaks, main breaks
Apparent Losses: Water that is successfully delivered to the customer, but, for various reasons is not recorded or measured accurately and is subsequently unbilled
Unmetered Use: System flushing, fire fighting and other authorized unmetered uses
OR
NRW = 1 - Billed Consumption System Input
The percent of water introduced to the distribution network that does not produce revenue:
NRW = 1 - Billed Consumption System Input
OR
NRW = 1- System Input – (Real Losses + Apparent Losses + Unmetered Use) System Input
“Unaccounted for Water” does not subtract “Unmetered/unbilled Use”
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Components of NRW
NRW = 1- System Input – (Real Losses + Apparent Losses + Unmetered Use)
System Input
Real Losses: Water lost from the network that is not used by customers or the utility, e.g. network leaks, main breaks
Apparent Losses: Water that is successfully delivered to the customer, but, for various reasons is not recorded or measured accurately and is subsequently not billed
Unmetered Use: System flushing, fire fighting and other “authorized” unmetered uses that is not billed.
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Water system characteristics vary widely due to age, geology, geography, materials and maintenance history.
Leak detection success depends on above AND personnel abilities.
“Traditional” sounding methods most widely used but have limitations.
Advanced leak detection methods are very expensive and application success will vary based on the utility’s distribution system characteristics.
Reactive repairs are expensive and pipeline replacement often due to other drivers, e.g. break frequency, hydraulics and water quality issues. DSIC Programs Help!
Real Losses – Locating and Repairing Leaks
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Apparent Losses – Causes and Solutions Vary
Meter Inaccuracy
Unmeasured Low Flow
Fire Service Line Use
Meter Tampering
Unauthorized taps
Data handling/”Lost”Customers
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United Water’s Use of “AquaCircle” – A software tool developed by Suez Environnement to identify components of NRW and to make forecasts on NRW reduction based on SE’s worldwide experience of various methods of NRW reduction strategies.PROS
Standardize Methodology – Based on IWA/AWWA Method Sound Analytical Approach to NRW Assessment and
Forecasting Once up to speed, time-savings on analysis Established data to judge impact of NRW reducing tasks Scenarios for NRW reduction and action plan priorities
CONS Detailed & Comprehensive Data Required Standard Data often needs to be customized to meet tool
input needs May not be ideal for smaller systems Relatively long “Learning Curve”
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AquaCircle Assessment Results Table
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UWNJ Apparent Loss Investigation (Summer 2012)
Theft: Meter Tampering – Data analysis
from AMI Van No Record of Service –
Geocoding + field investigations Illegal Use of Fire Services –
Field investigations Improperly Connected Irrigation
Systems
Billing Discrepancies: Lost Meters/RFs – Data analysis
and comparison with CC&B Stopped Meters Meter Inaccuracies
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Results of Apparent Losses Investigations
Meter Tampering – 2.5 %
No Record of Service – 0.07%
Illegal Use of Fire Services – 1.0 %
“Lost” Meters/RFs – up to 0.4%
Meter Inaccuracies – 3.5 to 4.0%
Irrigation Systems – 0%
Total % of potential revenue that is not billed = 7 to 8%
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Short and Mid-Term Plan Highlights
Apparent Losses:
Expand Apparent Losses Investigations Advance AMI and MDM software Improve Meter Age Program where applicable
Real Losses:
Continue Enhanced Leak Detection Methods Create District Metering Areas Reduce Leak Discovery to Repair Time
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