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Water System Audits and Water Loss Control
Introduction
A water pipe that is leaking. Photo courtesy of Halifax Water.

Did You Know?

Nationwide, roughly 6 billion gallons of treated water is lost per day, i.e., taken from water resources by public water suppliers but never reaches the customer.

As of calendar year 2022, in the Delaware River Basin, this number is estimated at 176 million gallons per day.


How is Water Lost?

  •  Real Water Losses

        •  From physical infrastructure failures, e.g., leaking pipes

        •  It is important to note that all systems will leak; this is known as Unavoidable Annual Real Losses (UARL)

 
  •  Apparent Losses

        • From inaccurate meter readings

        • From erroneous billing practices

 
  •  Unbilled Authorized Consumption (e.g. fire hydrants, sewer flushings)


Water is a finite resource. As demand for water increases, it is essential to ensure that water infrastructure is dependable and able to efficiently move water from source to customer.


Water System Audits: The Old Way

In the past, audits were conducted in the absence of consistent definitions and standards. They also often used inappropriate metrics for measuring water supply efficiency.

Not surprisingly, some systems billed only half, or less, of the total water they treated, pressurized and put into the distribution system.


DRBC's Water Audit Program

In 2009, the DRBC amended its Comprehensive Plan and Water Code to implement an updated water audit approach to identify and control water loss in the Basin. The revised regulations require public water suppliers, starting in 2012, to conduct an annual water audit of their systems to help identify, track and report water losses, particularly water lost due to leaky infrastructure. 

Understanding how much water is lost in distribution systems helps public water suppliers reduce water demand at the source, reduce treatment costs, increase system efficiency and reduce lost revenue.

The new proactive approach is consistent with the International Water Association (IWA) and American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Audit Methodology that is considered a best management practice in water loss control.

The DRBC's revised rules result in a clearer understanding of the causes of water loss and allow system operators, utility managers and regulators better target their efforts to improve water supply efficiency, saving water and money.

The DRBC is one of a handful of regulatory agencies in the United States that has changed its regulations to reflect the improved approach to water loss accounting made possible by the IWA/AWWA methodology. The rule changes approved by the DRBC Commissioners in 2009 were developed by DRBC staff and the DRBC's Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC). Additional information on the DRBC rule change can be found under DRBC's Water Audit Program Archives.


DRBC Water Audit Program Summary: Calendar Year 2022. Graphic by DRBC.
Dec. 2023 Publication: A Comprehensive Assessment of the DRBC's Water Audit Program (2012-2021)
Cover image of the DRBC's December 2023 report. Image by the DRBC.

Report Published December 2023

In December 2023, the DRBC published A Comprehensive Assessment of the Delaware River Basin Commission's Water Audit Program (2012-2021). The report provides a detailed look at ten years of Water Audit Program (Program) data. This analysis is the first of its kind in the country.

  •  View Report (pdf)

  •  View News Release (issued December 4, 2023)


Key Takeaways

  •  Drinking water is a critical use of our Basin's resources, and data on water loss is a critical component of water resource planning.   

  •  Approximately 300 public water supply systems perform annual water audits under the DRBC Program.

  •  Water losses have remained relatively constant over the past ten years.

  •  There is broad compliance with the program. Water supply systems required to submit audits have done so, highlighting strong partnerships and communication between the DRBC and the regulated community.  

  •  Through the water audit program, the DRBC now has a foundational dataset to support its Basin-scale planning efforts. Results from the study support the Commission's ongoing water conservation goals by providing a quantitative data-based foundation to guide future practices and policies, helping ensure reliable and sustainable water supplies in the Basin.
Instructions on How to Submit a Water Audit

The Water Audit requirement applies to all public water suppliers within the Delaware River Basin who have been issued approvals by the DRBC to withdraw and use in excess of an average of 100,000 gallons per day (gpd) of water during any 30-day period.

Water Audits are based on a calendar year and are due by March 31 of the following year.

To complete the DRBC water audit requirement for your system(s), please follow these steps

1. Download the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee Free Water Audit Software from the AWWA’s website at: https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resources/Water-Loss-Control 

Note that to download the Free Water Audit Software, you must either log in as an AWWA member or register (registration is free). Only Version 6.0 of the software may be used to satisfy the DRBC water audit requirement.

2. Click the link to download the software. In the dialog box that opens, choose a method to save the file to your computer. Depending on the web browser you are using, the steps for saving the software will vary. Make note of where you have saved the software on your computer before proceeding.

3. Open the software from your computer and fill out all data entry fields on the “Reporting Worksheet” tab. Enter your contact information on the “Instructions” tab. Further detailed instructions and definitions are included within the software itself. 

4. In the “Comments” section of the software, enter the DRBC docket number for the system on which you are reporting. If you wish to include additional comments, please add them after entering your docket number in the “Comments” field.

5. Save your completed Water Audit Software file.

6. Compose a transmittal email to water.audit@drbc.gov, including the appropriate docket or permit number in the email subject line. Attach the completed Water Audit Software file to the email. If your docket includes more than one system, ensure all audit files are attached. NOTE: Please ensure that the software is attached in the MS Excel file format. Do not attach the file as a ".pdf" or other file type. And, please do not submit a water audit if it does not generate a “score”; the audit will be returned to you for completion.

7. Please also see the DRBC’s Water Audit FAQs (pdf).
DRBC's Water Audit Program Archives

2016 Information


2014 Information


2012 Information


Earlier Water Audit Program Info
DRBC Presentations & Links for More Info

DRBC Water Audit Presentations


Other Helpful Links