Many utilities are aware that non-revenue water (NRW) can become a serious problem. The average systems deal with about 24 percent NRW each year yet few have the knowledge and resources to tackle it properly. While the idea of water loss in the distribution network is not recent, water scarcity and the challenge of raising rates to offset reinforces that NRW needs to be a priority.
The good news is that municipalities can implement multiple strategies and advanced technologies to help lower losses. For example, something as simple as alarms can assist utilities with detecting if meters have been tampered with.
The majority of utilities have a certain degree of non-billable use in their systems of distribution. Typical examples include flushing, checking of hydrants, and use by the service or municipality itself. This type of consumption is important and has beneficial protection and impacts public health as well as society. Water consumption for these purposes can often be minimized by installing a network of intelligent utilities to track these activities. One solution may include metering as a means of monitoring municipal usage to improve accountability while also boosting conservation efforts.
Real loss happens when a leak or spill occurs and the water never reaches the user. Utilities may create a framework to tackle real losses by enhancing the management of water distribution and control systems to protect facilities from leaks and spills. Some strategies include pressure and level monitoring and using acoustic solutions to detect leaks.
The Avanti Company was founded in 1977 by Paul and Justine Devlin and is headquartered in Avon Park, FL. We provide water meters, metering systems, industrial meters, AMI support, on-site flow meter testing, sewer flow monitoring, inspection and assessment services for the water, wastewater, agricultural, petroleum and industrial marketplaces. Avanti represents products from McCrometer, Itron, Hach Flow, Honeywell/Elster, 64 seconds, Infosense, Nicor, Badger Meter, and others. Please visit our website at www.avanticompany.com, email us at info@avanticompany.com or call us at 863-453-5336 for assistance with all of your flow meter and metering system needs.