up against. The water industry is staffed with highly competent
professionals with whom we entrust our public health. What we
are up against is systematic gremlins that endeavor to introduce
error into the underlying data we rely upon to develop the water
balance and conduct the annual water audit. These gremlins
live in the supply measurement systems — through meter
wear, poor meter siting/installation, and conversion/transfer/
archival error. They can live in our consumption measurement
systems — through data transfer, archival, and coding error.
Largely, these issues stem from the original system design
rather than system operation, which means the root cause
traces back years and even decades
to when the systems were installed.
Like many problems that are long
in the making, they don't get solved
right away. But the industry's level of
awareness and the toolkit to address
these gremlins continue to gain steam
through the work of AWWA and its
expert volunteers, the increased focus
on water loss research from WRF, and
the ever-changing water loss regulatory
landscape.
Validation Versus Auditing
Validation can occur at graduated levels
of effort and outcomes. As defined by
WRF project 4639 (2016), Level 1
validation is an examination for correct
application of the audit methodology,
including errors evident in summary
data and confirmation of data grading
applications. Level 2 investigates raw
data and archived reports at a deeper
level to ensure the best sources of
data have been used. Level 3 focuses
on bolstering data reliability through
instrument accuracy tests, pilot leak
detection studies, and similar field tests.
Currently in California, Georgia, and
Hawaii, Level 1 validation is required
for annually submitted AWWA
water audits. California is presently
underway with the largest water audit
13
WATERLOSSCONTROL
Innovative Chemical Feed Solutions
JCS Industries, Inc. I PO Box 90028 I Houston, TX 77290
Ph: 281-353-2100 I www.jcsindustries.us.com
Industries Inc.
wateronline.com n Water Innovations
The '3Vs' of the M36 Methodology
A validated water audit provides
useful insight into a system's
profile of water loss components —
expressed in validity, volume, and
value, known as the "3Vs."