1. Water Loss Audit Findings (FY 13-14)
Khos Ghaderi, P.E.
Director of Water Operations
December 23, 2015

2. Background Completed a comprehensive water loss audit for FY 13-14
using American Water Works Association (AWWA) methodology
In compliance with the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC)
Compliance with Best Management Practices (BMP) required to qualify for state grants and funding
Agencies are required to provide a water loss audit report
Annually
A comprehensive report every four years
California Senate Bill 555 will require water utilities to submit annual validated water loss audits to the Department of Water Resources (DWR)

3. Focus of Water Loss Study
Water Balance (FY 13-14)
Water Loss Performance Indicators
Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)
Apparent Losses (gallons per service connection/day)
Real Losses (gallons per service connection/day)
Annual loss as a percentage of supply
Analysis of Real Losses
Water Loss Reduction Strategies
Intervention is dependent on comparison of real losses to economically recoverable volume
Comparison with other agencies is of limited value
due to the quality of data

4. Results in Loss of Revenue Results in Loss of Water
Water Loss Categories
Apparent Losses (Non-Physical Losses):
Customer Meter Inaccuracy
Data Errors
Unauthorized Use
Real Losses (Physical Losses):
Pipeline and service line leaks
Reducing real losses conserves water (additional resource)
Results in Loss of Revenue
Results in Loss of Water

5. Analysis of Real Losses
Background Leakage
Unreported and undetectable using traditional acoustic equipment.
Mitigation
Main and service replacement
Reduction in the number of joints and fittings
Sub-surface Leakage
Often does not surface but may be detectable using traditional acoustic equipment.
Proactive leak detection
Reported Leakage
Often surfaces and is reported by the public or utility workers.
Optimized repair time
Not all losses can be economically recovered

6. Sub-surface Leaks (undetectable) Sub-surface Leaks (detectable)
Water Balance (FY 13-14)
Visible Leaks
Sub-surface Leaks (undetectable)
Sub-surface Leaks (detectable)

7. Infrastructure Leakage Index
Based on:
Miles of pipeline
Total appurtenances
Average system pressure
Number of connections
Infrastructure Leak Index
EMWD 2.09
Southern CA Agencies (FY 13-14)
- CUWCC Database -

8. Gallons per Service Connection per Day Southern CA Agencies (FY 13-14)
Apparent Losses
Gallons per Service Connection per Day
Customer meter inaccuracy
Data and/or meter errors
Unauthorized use
EMWD 4.04
Southern CA Agencies (FY 13-14)
- CUWCC Database -

9. Gallons per Service Connection per Day Southern CA Agencies (FY 13-14)
Real Losses
Gallons per Service Connection per Day
Pipeline and service line leaks
Visible and unseen
EMWD 35.92
Southern CA Agencies (FY 13-14)
- CUWCC Database -

10. Trend in Annual Real Losses

11. Trend in Annual Real Losses (cont’d)
Small variations in real losses are expected from year to year
Volume of water lost in the system increases over time
Real losses accumulate if proactive intervention is not pursued due to distribution system expansion and aging
Highlights the need for a proactive Leak Detection, Rehabilitation, and Replacement (R&R) Program
REAL LOSSES
TIME

12. Summary of Findings Apparent Losses: Real Losses: Total: 713 AF/year
Average small meter accuracy: 99.7 percent
Average large meter accuracy: 98.6 percent
Real Losses:
Total: 6,334 AF/year
2,533 AF economically recoverable
Upward trend overall

13. Water Loss Reduction Strategies
Implement a water loss control program to reduce the amount of leaks
Identify and prioritize areas with a high number of leaks
Perform leak detection where water loss levels are above an economically justified threshold
Continue to test water supply meters (wells, plants, etc.)
Supply meters are calibrated once a year
Wholesale sub-agency and MWD meters are calibrated twice a year

14. Water Loss Reduction Strategies (cont’d)
Continue with random testing of small meters
Improve leak flow rate estimation and documentation
Optimize location and repair times for reported leaks
Instituted a dedicated construction crew for accelerated leak repair (March 2015)
Improved Maximo’s leak reporting and documentation

15. Going Forward Action Plan
Implement a water loss control program
Complete a system-wide leak detection in three years
Monitor water losses on an on-going basis
Identify monitoring areas (zones) based on
the ability to isolate
Install additional meters and data loggers as
needed
Identify and prioritize zones experiencing a high level
of water loss
Prioritize future leak detection activities based on the water loss
monitoring program
Continue with zone monitoring using AMI meters and
prioritized leak detection programs accordingly

16. Khos Ghaderi, P.E.
Director of Water Operations
(951) Extension 6240