Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) understands the need to update infrastructure issues through local municipalities facing various interruptions in their day-today operations.
Much of the drinking water infrastructure in the United States has been in service for decades and can be a significant source of water loss through leaks. In addition to leaks, water can be “lost” through unauthorized consumption (theft), administrative errors, data handling errors, and metering inaccuracies or failure. A water audit is an accounting of all of the water in a water system resulting in a quantified understanding of the integrity of the water system and its operation. It is the first step in formulating an economically sound plan to address water losses.
A preliminary water audit begins with the following information and simple calculations:
- Determine the amount of water added to the system, typically for one-year
- Determine the total authorized consumption (billed + unbilled)
- Calculate water losses (input – authorized consumption = water loss)
Once the water loss has been calculated, CEC will begin identifying the potential root causes. Locating leaks and losses can be accomplished through any of the following methods:
- CEC will perform leak detection by conducting a system survey using devices called data loggers. Once potential problem areas have been identified, a combination of correlating equipment and ground mics will be used to verify and pinpoint the location of the leak so that repairs can be made. Once repairs have been completed, CEC will retest the area to confirm that the problem has been corrected. All findings will be documented in a GIS database that can be distributed to the client in various forms.
- CEC will perform a thorough examination of billing records to check for administrative errors, data handling errors, and potential metering inaccuracies over 12 months.
- CEC will perform inspections of all accessible hydrants within the water system for signs of tampering and unauthorized consumption leading to unmetered loss.
- CEC will review provided calibration and test records for master meters to verify the accuracy of system input and output. Residential meters should also be spot tested to identify any issues with meter accuracy across the system.
- CEC may review system pressures when necessary to determine the need for pressure relief valves to mitigate excessive pressure and reduce rupture rates.
