Economic Level of Real Water Losses in Water Distribution System

Leakage is one of the major contributors to water loss in water distribution systems (WDS). Methods and concepts have been developed over the years to reduce these losses to the economic level of leakage (ELL). Currently there is no study taken to determine the ELL for the Perak Water Board (Lembaga Air Perak, LAP). For that reason, this study will take the initiative to estimate the economic level of non-revenue water operational control in Kinta district for minimizing leakage in water supply system. The estimated water loss for reported leaks and bursts can be calculated using PrimeWorks software (version: 1.5.57.0). Unreported real losses are calculated using economic intervention theory and regression analysis to estimate the average rate of rise of unreported leakage. Consequently, about 95 % of the registered pipe repairs in 2010 were conducted on pipes with small diameters of less than 50 mm which refer to the service pipes and service connections. Results of the study revealed that short-run economic leakage level (SRELL) will be around 17.88 l/service connection/day or 2.0 m3/km mains/day. The application of PrimeWorks produces a powerful tool for better management of WDS