• Indirect economic loss, environmental problems, and damage to structures,
public utilities, and roads due to the rise in the groundwater levels (this is
particularly critical in areas where groundwater rise occurs after planning and
as a result of rapid urbanization)
• Possible contamination of drinking water and its associated health hazards
4. The establishment of a leakage control program is not only essential but it proved
to be practical and cost-effective. It should consist at least of the following steps:
• Pressure control (lowering of pressure during the night will effectively
decrease the leakage rates).
• Survey of the water network for leaks using sound detectors and/or pressure
testing
• Repair of leaks.
• Installation of “district meters” at appropriate locations in the city in order to
detect abnormal increase in water consumption and obtain early warning of
possible water losses.
• Surveying for leak detection should be an ongoing process, repeated at
2–5 years interval, in order to locate and repair newly developed leaks.
5. Routine inspection of sanitary and storm sewers is essential and can be carried out
by passing a small video camera through the sewers.
Acknowledgments This chapter is a contribution of the Environmental Management and Protection Program, Rising Groundwater Study, Ar-Riyadh Development Authority (ADA), Saudi
Arabia. This updated version is being published by permission from the journal Water International, 16, 4, 254–261, 1991, and published online 22 Jan 2009.
Acronyms
ADA
Ar-Riyadh Development Authority
AWWA
The American Water Works Association
DMA
District Meter Area
IWA
The International Water Association
KACST
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
PE
Polyethylene
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
PWS
Public Water System
O&M
Operations and maintenance
RRWSDA Riyadh Region Water and Sanitary Drainage Authority
6 Water Losses from Utilities
253
public utilities, and roads due to the rise in the groundwater levels (this is
particularly critical in areas where groundwater rise occurs after planning and
as a result of rapid urbanization)
• Possible contamination of drinking water and its associated health hazards
4. The establishment of a leakage control program is not only essential but it proved
to be practical and cost-effective. It should consist at least of the following steps:
• Pressure control (lowering of pressure during the night will effectively
decrease the leakage rates).
• Survey of the water network for leaks using sound detectors and/or pressure
testing
• Repair of leaks.
• Installation of “district meters” at appropriate locations in the city in order to
detect abnormal increase in water consumption and obtain early warning of
possible water losses.
• Surveying for leak detection should be an ongoing process, repeated at
2–5 years interval, in order to locate and repair newly developed leaks.
5. Routine inspection of sanitary and storm sewers is essential and can be carried out
by passing a small video camera through the sewers.
Acknowledgments This chapter is a contribution of the Environmental Management and Protection Program, Rising Groundwater Study, Ar-Riyadh Development Authority (ADA), Saudi
Arabia. This updated version is being published by permission from the journal Water International, 16, 4, 254–261, 1991, and published online 22 Jan 2009.
Acronyms
ADA
Ar-Riyadh Development Authority
AWWA
The American Water Works Association
DMA
District Meter Area
IWA
The International Water Association
KACST
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
PE
Polyethylene
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
PWS
Public Water System
O&M
Operations and maintenance
RRWSDA Riyadh Region Water and Sanitary Drainage Authority
6 Water Losses from Utilities
253