The Role of Water Audits in Water Conservation

Abstract

Significant levels of water conservation can be achieved through control of leakage from a water distribution system. One of the best means of determining the level of water conservation which can be achieved is by conducting a complete water audit. The volume of water which can be conserved through a leakage control program may exceed the level of conservation available through the use of consumer oriented water conservation devices. A complete water audit generally consists of three phases. These are master meter testing, leak detection and quantification, and system inventory. However, the scope of water audits is often varied in order to meet an individual community's needs. Six case histories of successful water audit/leakage control programs are presented. These programs resulted in water savings ranging from approximately 12% to as high as 75% of the average daily pumpage.