TWM Contributor: Bill Blackstock Utility Locating Manager
We’ve all attended presentations or public meetings where the focus is on improving our streets and sidewalks. While everyone looks forward to exciting new developments and better road and sidewalk conditions, there’s a critical part of our infrastructure that often goes unnoticed because it’s hidden underground. This essential infrastructure suffers from the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality – it’s easy to forget about it as long as it’s functioning properly.
With an average water loss of 16% nationwide, it’s clear that our water infrastructure needs urgent attention. Many municipalities and districts are doing their best to maintain water systems that are nearing the end of their effective lifespan. The main questions are where to begin and how to overcome persistent water loss challenges. Through our work with various clients, we have identified that water loss occurs within three key categories:
- Leak Detection
Most municipalities excel at repairing visible leaks amidst their other numerous responsibilities. However, approximately 67% of water leaks remain undetected because they don’t surface. Our goal in detecting water leaks is to find those hidden leaks. According to the EPA, AWWA, and the IWA, the “cheapest and easiest” action a municipality can take is to perform a water leak survey every 3 to 5 years. This can involve surveying 20% to 33% of the system annually or completing the entire system in a single year. - Unaccounted for Water
This aspect primarily focuses on the administrative side of water infrastructure. It’s crucial to continually monitor and refine processes each month. Staying vigilant in pinpointing sources of water loss – looking beyond traditional sources to explore all potential avenues – and considering where it’s happening is key. Whether it’s through park usage, fire department usage, or the accuracy of water sales, it’s essential to consistently seek ways to improve precision reporting. - Metering
According to the EPA, a 15-year-old water meter will lose its accuracy by an average of 7%. For example, 7% of water that is “lost” due to an aging or failing meter translates to 70,000 gallons for every 1 million gallons distributed by the system. It’s important to note that most water and sewer systems base sewer charges on water use. This means that your system is not only losing 7% in water revenue but also 7% in sewer charge revenue. While new meters may seem costly initially, the long-term savings of this equipment make them worthwhile, with a return on investment in just 2-5 years.
Funding Options & Long-Term Planning
While all of the above steps are important in managing water loss, we understand that the problem with finding an issue often means incurring the cost of fixing it! Fortunately, there are grants and loans available specifically for water infrastructure improvements. Some of these include the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act Grants, Disadvantage Community Grants and State Revolving Fund Loans.
Often, the individuals who install water distribution systems are not the same ones responsible for their maintenance when it’s needed. This lack of continuity can lead to a failure to plan for the eventual wear and necessary replacement of these systems. Increasing user rates is an option many are reluctant to consider, and understandably so. However, with proper foresight and planning, funds could be gradually accumulated over 50 to 100 years, allowing for the replacement of aging systems without the need for drastic rate hikes. Long-term saving plans haven’t been established in most cases, which makes the challenge of quickly securing the needed funds more pressing.
Facing the Future & Adapting to Change
The EPA estimates that water main breaks could quadruple in just 10 years. Is your municipal system equipped to handle this increase? It’s often said that the definition of Insanity is repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes. Will communities continue to manage water loss using the same outdated methods? Will our infrastructure be resilient enough to handle the impending strain? Now is the time to take proactive measures and consider innovative solutions so that water systems are better prepared for the future.
TWM water infrastructure experts are prepared to face this challenge and employ the latest technologies to see what you can’t! Our team also provides grant assistance and support. Contact us today to inspect your water system and discover how we can help.
Read more about TWM’s water infrastructure services.
