receive continuous pressure (let alone high pressure), and the scope for pressure
management is therefore very limited.
Mains Replacement Programme
Mains replacement is often the most expensive measure that can be undertaken to
reduce leakage and is usually only undertaken as a last resort. It is therefore
important that any mains replacement is properly coordinated and motivated to
avoid wasting the limited funds available to improve the system. Mains replacement
is normally based on the frequency of bursts occurring from a specific length of
pipe, and it is, therefore, important to record the frequency of bursts for each main
section of pipe in the system. It should be noted that most water supply systems are
designed to last up to 50 years which in turn suggests an annual replacement of 2%
of the total asset value. Very few water utilities worldwide allocate 2% per year to
the maintenance with the result that many systems are gradually deteriorating.
Active and Passive Leakage Control
Passive leakage as the name suggests is a passive or reactive approach to leakage
control whereby a water utility/concerned governing body will send out a leak
repair team only when a leak is reported to the utility by a member of the public.
Active leakage control is a pro-active approach whereby water utility personnel,
armed with leak detection equipment, actively searches for unreported leaks in the
water distribution system.
Planned Maintenance
It appears that relatively little planned maintenance takes place in most Indian cities
and as a result many of the valves are in poor condition. All valves have a limited
life, and without regular maintenance, they deteriorate quickly causing leakage and
water loss. For example, in the city of Indore, at least 50% of the valves inspected
were leaking to some degree (UN-Habitat Report 2006).
Payment for Water and Illegal Use
It is often not politically acceptable to simply remove illegal connections, and in
most cities, the approach of legalizing such connections is preferable. It should be
noted that illegal connections are often made with sub-standard fittings with the
result that they leak badly and more water is often lost through the leakage than is
used by the resident using the illegal connection. When legalizing such connections, it is therefore important to make a proper connection using proper fittings, in
this manner, the consumer is added to the billing data base, and the leaking connection is replaced with a proper connection. Political support is required to address
illegal connections, and the governing bodies must develop a proper strategy to this
issue which is fully sanctioned by the Government agencies.
Capacity Building and Public Involvement
There is a general lack of capacity within the water utility with regard to WDM and
water use efficiency. In addition, there is little capacity with regard to metering,
maintenance, GIS and various other issues required to run a water utility efficiently.
For this reason, it is necessary to provide support and training in various key areas.
Sustainable Urban Water Management Strategies
37
management is therefore very limited.
Mains Replacement Programme
Mains replacement is often the most expensive measure that can be undertaken to
reduce leakage and is usually only undertaken as a last resort. It is therefore
important that any mains replacement is properly coordinated and motivated to
avoid wasting the limited funds available to improve the system. Mains replacement
is normally based on the frequency of bursts occurring from a specific length of
pipe, and it is, therefore, important to record the frequency of bursts for each main
section of pipe in the system. It should be noted that most water supply systems are
designed to last up to 50 years which in turn suggests an annual replacement of 2%
of the total asset value. Very few water utilities worldwide allocate 2% per year to
the maintenance with the result that many systems are gradually deteriorating.
Active and Passive Leakage Control
Passive leakage as the name suggests is a passive or reactive approach to leakage
control whereby a water utility/concerned governing body will send out a leak
repair team only when a leak is reported to the utility by a member of the public.
Active leakage control is a pro-active approach whereby water utility personnel,
armed with leak detection equipment, actively searches for unreported leaks in the
water distribution system.
Planned Maintenance
It appears that relatively little planned maintenance takes place in most Indian cities
and as a result many of the valves are in poor condition. All valves have a limited
life, and without regular maintenance, they deteriorate quickly causing leakage and
water loss. For example, in the city of Indore, at least 50% of the valves inspected
were leaking to some degree (UN-Habitat Report 2006).
Payment for Water and Illegal Use
It is often not politically acceptable to simply remove illegal connections, and in
most cities, the approach of legalizing such connections is preferable. It should be
noted that illegal connections are often made with sub-standard fittings with the
result that they leak badly and more water is often lost through the leakage than is
used by the resident using the illegal connection. When legalizing such connections, it is therefore important to make a proper connection using proper fittings, in
this manner, the consumer is added to the billing data base, and the leaking connection is replaced with a proper connection. Political support is required to address
illegal connections, and the governing bodies must develop a proper strategy to this
issue which is fully sanctioned by the Government agencies.
Capacity Building and Public Involvement
There is a general lack of capacity within the water utility with regard to WDM and
water use efficiency. In addition, there is little capacity with regard to metering,
maintenance, GIS and various other issues required to run a water utility efficiently.
For this reason, it is necessary to provide support and training in various key areas.
Sustainable Urban Water Management Strategies
37