Active Leakage Control as a Key Component in Increasing Efficiency in Urban Water Supplies Thematic Paper 3.3

This paper describes the role of an Active Leakage Control programme as a means of achieving water savings

Abstract

As supply-side solutions become exhausted, water supply companies (WSCs) will, increasingly, have to apply demand management in order to balance the future demand with available resources. Reducing leakage from pipe networks can delay the need to invest in new water sources to meet rising demand or existing demand where demand is not satisfied. WSCs should calculate leakage targets as an integral part of their long term water resource plans to ensure that the most efficient range of options is selected to balance the supply and demand for water.

This Thematic Paper is concerned with the loss in efficiency represented by leakage from the water supply distribution network.

The primary benefits of leakage reduction are seen as:

  • reduced abstraction and therefore environmental improvement
  • increased reliability of water supplies
  • deferment of capital expenditure on water resources and supply schemes
  • reduced operating costs (if above the economic leakage level (ELL)
  • improved public perception of water companies

Citation

WRDMAP. Active Leakage Control as a Key Component in Increasing Efficiency in Urban Water Supplies [Thematic Paper 3.3]. WRDMAP, China (2010) 28 pp

Active Leakage Control as a Key Component in Increasing Efficiency in Urban Water Supplies Thematic Paper 3.3

Updates to this page

Published 1 May 2010