By Angela Godwin
As utilities grapple with the competing priorities of delivering clean, safe water supplies and keeping rates low, losing revenue simply isn't an option. With that in mind, many water systems have undertaken the monumental task of figuring out just how much water they're losing so they can take steps to reduce it.
The concept of "water loss accounting" is not a particularly new phenomenon, but it has attracted increased interest as the challenges of aging infrastructure, water scarcity, and a changing climate have gradually made their way into the public spotlight. As a result, a number of tools have been developed -- including AWWA's free Water Audit Software -- to help utilities understand and manage their water loss.
Now a new, interactive website launched by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) aims to highlight progress toward reducing water losses. Called "Cutting Our Losses: State Policies to Track and Reduce Leakage from Public Water Systems," the website is something of an information clearinghouse of state and municipal efforts around water loss accounting. An interactive map provides a snapshot, at-a-glance, of what policies are being adopted to report water losses accurately and set targets for water loss reduction. In some cases, if available, you can even view a utility's actual water audit report.
"What we're really hoping to accomplish with the website," said NRDC Senior Water Policy Analyst Karen Hobbs, "is to highlight the need for this type of activity and what water loss costs our utilities as well as the people who rely upon those utilities for the delivery of their water."
The website, Hobbs said, calls attention to the utilities and states that are taking on this nationwide challenge and moving forward with it. But perhaps even more importantly, "it lets folks know that there are resources out there and utilities that can answer their questions and be best management examples for them," she added.
In today's culture, many utilities -- especially rural systems -- are operating with minimal staff and limited resources. "They're doing the billing, they're doing the maintenance, they're installing new pipes," said Hobbs. "A lot is being asked of them and they often don't have the tools they need to do those jobs most effectively." NRDC believes the "Cutting Our Losses" website will help deliver technical assistance with water loss accounting to those who really need it.
For more information, visit the "Cutting Our Losses" website at www.nrdc.org/water/water-loss-reduction.asp.
Angela Godwin
Chief Editor, WaterWorld
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