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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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