Illinois Water Audit and Loss Control Training Workshop

Illinois Water Audit and Loss Control Training Workshop

Fall 2014Fall 2014

RealLosses

ApparentLosses

UnbilledAuthorized

Consumption

BilledAuthorized

Consumption

Non-Revenue

Water

RevenueWater

Leakage & Overflows at Storage

Billed Unmetered Consumption

Billed Metered Consumption

Billed Water Exported

Leakage on Service Lines(before the meter)

Leakage on Mains

Customer Metering & Data Inaccuracies

Unauthorized Consumption

Unbilled Unmetered Consumption

Unbilled Metered Consumption

WaterImported

OwnSources

TotalSystem

Input

( allowfor

knownerrors )

WaterLosses

AuthorizedConsumption

WaterExported

WaterSupplied

IWA/AWWA Standard Water Balance

IWA/AWWA Standard Water Balance

Real LossesReal LossesAlso called Physical Losses – water that enters the distribution system, but never reaches a user. Includes:

– Leakage on transmission and distribution mains

– Storage tank overflows– Service Line leakage up to customer meter

Reducing real losses creates an additional resource which reduces operating costs and can be used to defer capital expenditure

Also called Physical Losses – water that enters the distribution system, but never reaches a user. Includes:

– Leakage on transmission and distribution mains

– Storage tank overflows– Service Line leakage up to customer meter

Reducing real losses creates an additional resource which reduces operating costs and can be used to defer capital expenditure

Apparent LossesApparent Losses

Also called Paper or Economic Losses – water that reaches a user, but is not properly measured or paid for. Includes:

– Theft– Customer metering inaccuracies– Data handling errors

Reducing Apparent losses increases revenue but creates no new water

Also called Paper or Economic Losses – water that reaches a user, but is not properly measured or paid for. Includes:

– Theft– Customer metering inaccuracies– Data handling errors

Reducing Apparent losses increases revenue but creates no new water

Non-Revenue Water (NRW)Non-Revenue Water (NRW)

Is the difference between the volume of water produced and the volume of water billed to customers

It consists of three elements with different values in $/gallon:

– Real Losses – Apparent Losses– Unbilled authorized consumption (political losses)

Use this term instead of “unaccounted-for-water”

Is the difference between the volume of water produced and the volume of water billed to customers

It consists of three elements with different values in $/gallon:

– Real Losses – Apparent Losses– Unbilled authorized consumption (political losses)

Use this term instead of “unaccounted-for-water”

RealLosses

ApparentLosses

UnbilledAuthorized

Consumption

BilledAuthorized

Consumption

Non-Revenue

Water

RevenueWater

Leakage & Overflows at Storage

Billed Unmetered Consumption

Billed Metered Consumption

Billed Water Exported

Leakage on Service Lines(before the meter)

Leakage on Mains

Customer Metering & Data Inaccuracies

Unauthorized Consumption

Unbilled Unmetered Consumption

Unbilled Metered Consumption

WaterImported

OwnSources

TotalSystem

Input

( allowfor

knownerrors )

WaterLosses

AuthorizedConsumption

WaterExported

WaterSupplied

Lots of new terminologyLots of new terminology

RealLosses

ApparentLosses Non-

RevenueWater

RevenueWater

Leakage & Overflows at Storage

Billed Unmetered Consumption

Billed Metered Consumption

Billed Water Exported

Leakage on Mains

Customer Metering & Data Inaccuracies

Unauthorized Consumption

Unbilled Unmetered Consumption

Unbilled Metered Consumption

WaterLosses

Categorize DataCategorize Data• Leak on transmission main• Toilet leak• Straight pipe• Line Flushing• Leak adjustment • Wrong multiplier• Storage tank overflow• Flat rate accounts• Slow meters

• Leak on transmission main• Toilet leak• Straight pipe• Line Flushing• Leak adjustment • Wrong multiplier• Storage tank overflow• Flat rate accounts• Slow meters

Game TimeGame Time

Common Pitfalls ICommon Pitfalls I

What did we learn the first time aroundWhat did we learn the first time around

What did you learn the first time around?

What did you learn the first time around?

• Time periods (production vs. meter reading)• Units (MG vs. 1,000 gal)• Financial calculations (include salaries?)• Default values (take a zero or the default

percentage?)• Double counting (water exported should not

be in billed metered)• Production meter calibration vs. accuracy

testing (electronics vs. correct flow reading)

• Time periods (production vs. meter reading)• Units (MG vs. 1,000 gal)• Financial calculations (include salaries?)• Default values (take a zero or the default

percentage?)• Double counting (water exported should not

be in billed metered)• Production meter calibration vs. accuracy

testing (electronics vs. correct flow reading)

Big Clues to Potential ErrorsBig Clues to Potential Errors• Check to see if you have a validity score

– Failure to complete the audit grading scale fully will result in no calculated score

• An ILI of < 1 (This is theoretically not possible)

• An ILI of > 12• Very High Validity Score (>85) coupled

with Very Low ILI (<2) after first audit

• Check to see if you have a validity score– Failure to complete the audit grading scale

fully will result in no calculated score

• An ILI of < 1 (This is theoretically not possible)

• An ILI of > 12• Very High Validity Score (>85) coupled

with Very Low ILI (<2) after first audit

Observations from Large System Audits

Observations from Large System Audits

• Reconcile period of water supplied with water authorized consumption

• Billing period may be offset• Caution of negative ILI’s (more water consumed than supplied)

• “Leaks and Breaks” do not go in unbilled unmetered – they are real losses

• Average cost of real losses is usually less than cost of apparent losses (units $/1,000 gal for apparent losses, $/Million gallons for real losses)

• Order of magnitude of losses (real is more than apparent, typically)

• Reconcile period of water supplied with water authorized consumption

• Billing period may be offset• Caution of negative ILI’s (more water consumed than supplied)

• “Leaks and Breaks” do not go in unbilled unmetered – they are real losses

• Average cost of real losses is usually less than cost of apparent losses (units $/1,000 gal for apparent losses, $/Million gallons for real losses)

• Order of magnitude of losses (real is more than apparent, typically)

Validity ScoringValidity Scoring

• Must meet/exceed all criteria to be eligible for the score

• Don’t over/underestimate score• Must be defensible (explain

why 8 was picked instead of 6)

• Must meet/exceed all criteria to be eligible for the score

• Don’t over/underestimate score• Must be defensible (explain

why 8 was picked instead of 6)

What did you learn?What did you learn?

• Validity calls• Team meetings• Monthly tracking• Calculations workbook

• Validity calls• Team meetings• Monthly tracking• Calculations workbook

Common Pitfalls IICommon Pitfalls II

How to Avoid Falling in to the TrapHow to Avoid Falling in to the Trap

Default ValuesDefault Values• Provided for you in software• Calculated based upon a comprehensive

review of systems during the development• Automatically receive a validity score of 5• Provided for 2 inputs

– Unbilled unmetered authorized– Unauthorized consumption

• Use them• Focus on a policy change to meter as

much as possible even if it is not billed.

• Provided for you in software• Calculated based upon a comprehensive

review of systems during the development• Automatically receive a validity score of 5• Provided for 2 inputs

– Unbilled unmetered authorized– Unauthorized consumption

• Use them• Focus on a policy change to meter as

much as possible even if it is not billed.

Some Unbilled Unmetered Authorized

Some Unbilled Unmetered Authorized

• Fire Uses– Fire fighting– Training– Hydrant testing

• System use– Flushing– Testing– Plant use – Cleaning– Construction

• Fire Uses– Fire fighting– Training– Hydrant testing

• System use– Flushing– Testing– Plant use – Cleaning– Construction

• “Political Loss” (if not metered)– Government buildings– Public amenities (fountains,

parks, golf courses)– Landscape maintenance –

Public areas (medians, tree plantings)

• Not “leaks and breaks”

• “Political Loss” (if not metered)– Government buildings– Public amenities (fountains,

parks, golf courses)– Landscape maintenance –

Public areas (medians, tree plantings)

• Not “leaks and breaks”

Unauthorized ConsumptionUnauthorized Consumption• Illegal connections• Open bypasses• Misuse of hydrants• Meter tampering• Use of unmetered fire for service• Failing to notify utility when service is

established and not receiving a bill• Focus on strong policies/practices and

revenue recovery activities designed to mitigate this.

• Illegal connections• Open bypasses• Misuse of hydrants• Meter tampering• Use of unmetered fire for service• Failing to notify utility when service is

established and not receiving a bill• Focus on strong policies/practices and

revenue recovery activities designed to mitigate this.

Master Meter Error AdjustmentMaster Meter Error Adjustment

• This is your production meters leaving the plant

• Meter adjustment from verification testing, not electronic calibration

• Should not be 0• If testing not performed, use 1% to 5%

under-registration

• This is your production meters leaving the plant

• Meter adjustment from verification testing, not electronic calibration

• Should not be 0• If testing not performed, use 1% to 5%

under-registration

Customer Metering InaccuraciesCustomer Metering Inaccuracies• Considerations that determine accuracy

– Physical accuracy to measure flow– Right-sizing– Correct type of meter for usage

• Consider this the first step in consumption data gathering

• All the other billing components and considerations are not a part of this input

• Considerations that determine accuracy– Physical accuracy to measure flow– Right-sizing– Correct type of meter for usage

• Consider this the first step in consumption data gathering

• All the other billing components and considerations are not a part of this input

CMI – getting at the NumberCMI – getting at the Number• Physical flow measurement

– Meter testing data (Rep sample 10%)– Large meter testing– Residential testing programs – Weighted average of the data applied to

appropriate consumption volume

• Can use factory default if no testing program is in place (1% to 2%)

• Physical flow measurement– Meter testing data (Rep sample 10%)– Large meter testing– Residential testing programs – Weighted average of the data applied to

appropriate consumption volume

• Can use factory default if no testing program is in place (1% to 2%)

CMICMI

• The basis for all data gathering and input calculations arise from meter testing programs

• Meter testing is not the same as calibration• Calibration should occur following the test to

improve accuracy.• Utilize the sample of tested meters to

extrapolate data across applicable category and size of meter

• Field validation and billing system review coupled with testing and calibration will improve data validity and reduce apparent losses.

• The basis for all data gathering and input calculations arise from meter testing programs

• Meter testing is not the same as calibration• Calibration should occur following the test to

improve accuracy.• Utilize the sample of tested meters to

extrapolate data across applicable category and size of meter

• Field validation and billing system review coupled with testing and calibration will improve data validity and reduce apparent losses.

Systematic Data Handling Errors

Systematic Data Handling Errors

• Everything else that happens between the meter reading and the bill.– Reading errors– Data entry errors– Estimated bills– Stopped meters– Adjustments to consumption– Black hole of customer accounts: (lost, not billed,

not transferred)– Bad policies (Non-bill status, temporary builder

accounts, etc.)

• Everything else that happens between the meter reading and the bill.– Reading errors– Data entry errors– Estimated bills– Stopped meters– Adjustments to consumption– Black hole of customer accounts: (lost, not billed,

not transferred)– Bad policies (Non-bill status, temporary builder

accounts, etc.)

SDHESDHE

• Should not be 0 – Validity Score Low• Flow chart billing process• Billing system staff and meter reading

representative need to be involved• How do you begin to quantify

– Reports (adjustment report, misread report, estimated bill report, stopped meters report, exception report, builder accounts report)

– Policy review

• Should not be 0 – Validity Score Low• Flow chart billing process• Billing system staff and meter reading

representative need to be involved• How do you begin to quantify

– Reports (adjustment report, misread report, estimated bill report, stopped meters report, exception report, builder accounts report)

– Policy review

It’s the Money…It’s the Money…• Financial Indicators

– Won’t change your ILI– Will make this a useful tool for utilities– Clearly caused some problems– Already seized upon by the media “What’s all

this lost water costing Illinois Citizens?”

• Three Values– Total Annual cost of operating water system– Customer retail unit cost– Variable production cost

• Financial Indicators– Won’t change your ILI– Will make this a useful tool for utilities– Clearly caused some problems– Already seized upon by the media “What’s all

this lost water costing Illinois Citizens?”

• Three Values– Total Annual cost of operating water system– Customer retail unit cost– Variable production cost

Total Cost of OperatingWater System

Total Cost of OperatingWater System

• What costs are associated with water system only in a combined system– If there is shared staff/equipment try to

allocate a % to water– This still includes the chemicals, energy ,

pumping costs– Does include staff and depreciation– Combined Water and Sewer System

Budget

• What costs are associated with water system only in a combined system– If there is shared staff/equipment try to

allocate a % to water– This still includes the chemicals, energy ,

pumping costs– Does include staff and depreciation– Combined Water and Sewer System

Budget

Customer Retail Unit CostCustomer Retail Unit Cost• THIS IS CALCULATED PER 1,000 GALLONS• What the CUSTOMER pays per unit of water billed to

them (1,000 gallons or CCF)• Different rates (either customer class or tiers)

– Weighted average – easier if you have 2-3 rates

• Multi-rates simple calculation: Total annual revenue from water sold (not including tap/late fees) / total annual volume of water sold

• If you bill in $/CCF you can use those units, but be sure to select them in the audit (or convert to $/1,000 gal)

• Cost of apparent losses are calculated at this rate

• THIS IS CALCULATED PER 1,000 GALLONS• What the CUSTOMER pays per unit of water billed to

them (1,000 gallons or CCF)• Different rates (either customer class or tiers)

– Weighted average – easier if you have 2-3 rates

• Multi-rates simple calculation: Total annual revenue from water sold (not including tap/late fees) / total annual volume of water sold

• If you bill in $/CCF you can use those units, but be sure to select them in the audit (or convert to $/1,000 gal)

• Cost of apparent losses are calculated at this rate

Multi Rate Calculation Ex.Multi Rate Calculation Ex.

Utility has 6 Rates $2.83-$8.25

Total Revenue for water sold $kgal

$92,275,204

Total Volume Sold kgal

19,453,210

$92,275,204/19,453,210

$4.74/Kgal

Utility has 6 Rates $2.83-$8.25

Total Revenue for water sold $kgal

$92,275,204

Total Volume Sold kgal

19,453,210

$92,275,204/19,453,210

$4.74/Kgal

Variable Production CostVariable Production Cost• THIS IS CALCULATED PER 1,000,000 GALLONS• The Cost of supplying the next gallon of water

– For purchase systems this is the wholesale cost to purchase water (in $/MG)

– If you treat drinking water this is: chemicals, power to treat and pump water (in $/MG)

– If you have both it is a weighted average based on how much of each you supply your system.

• Your water superintendents or financial staff should be able to provide these numbers

• Check your work cost is much higher for purchase systems– Ex. If it is $.60/1,000 to produce VPC is $600.00– Ex. If it is $2.34/1,000 to purchase VPC is $2,340.00

• Real losses are valued at VPC

• THIS IS CALCULATED PER 1,000,000 GALLONS• The Cost of supplying the next gallon of water

– For purchase systems this is the wholesale cost to purchase water (in $/MG)

– If you treat drinking water this is: chemicals, power to treat and pump water (in $/MG)

– If you have both it is a weighted average based on how much of each you supply your system.

• Your water superintendents or financial staff should be able to provide these numbers

• Check your work cost is much higher for purchase systems– Ex. If it is $.60/1,000 to produce VPC is $600.00– Ex. If it is $2.34/1,000 to purchase VPC is $2,340.00

• Real losses are valued at VPC

Variable Production CostVariable Production Cost

• Groundwater systems are typically $150-$500 per MG

• Surface water systems are typically $500 - $1,500 per MG

• Purchase systems are typically $1,500 - $3,000 per MG

• If you are outside these ranges, check your units!

• Groundwater systems are typically $150-$500 per MG

• Surface water systems are typically $500 - $1,500 per MG

• Purchase systems are typically $1,500 - $3,000 per MG

• If you are outside these ranges, check your units!

This is your workshop What did you find?

What can we clarify?What were your biggest issues?

This is your workshop What did you find?

What can we clarify?What were your biggest issues?

Understanding ValidityUnderstanding Validity

Are my numbers valid?Are my numbers valid?

What do those scores mean?What do those scores mean?

• Each data input has a “Data Grade” that is used to calculate your overall audit “Data Validity”

• For each input, there are criteria defining each Grade

• If you meet or exceed all criteria in a score, go up

• If you don’t meet at least one of the criteria, even if you exceed all others, go down

• Each data input has a “Data Grade” that is used to calculate your overall audit “Data Validity”

• For each input, there are criteria defining each Grade

• If you meet or exceed all criteria in a score, go up

• If you don’t meet at least one of the criteria, even if you exceed all others, go down

What does my grade mean?What does my grade mean?• Be realistic and truthful• There will be specific actions that can be

taken to improve data grade• The grades are “weighted” in the

calculation of overall validity score• Priority areas of attention are based on

their importance and effect on overall validity when modified

• Be realistic and truthful• There will be specific actions that can be

taken to improve data grade• The grades are “weighted” in the

calculation of overall validity score• Priority areas of attention are based on

their importance and effect on overall validity when modified

ExamplesExamples

Is my grade good or bad?Is my grade good or bad?

• There is no good or bad, only high or low

• Don’t compare yourself with others, only yourself

• Identify areas to improve your grades “that make sense” (financially)

• There is no good or bad, only high or low

• Don’t compare yourself with others, only yourself

• Identify areas to improve your grades “that make sense” (financially)

AWWA Water Audit Software - Grading Matrix

AWWA Water Audit Software - Grading Matrix

Game TimeGame Time

Do People Really Care?Do People Really Care?

• Press – Want a story “wasteful local utility”• Elected Officials – Want “CYA” when press

and environmentalists call• Environmentalist – Want “0 loss of a

precious resource” Believe it is possible.• Utility Staff – Want to know “what to do

with this”• Citizens – Are surprisingly busy

• Press – Want a story “wasteful local utility”• Elected Officials – Want “CYA” when press

and environmentalists call• Environmentalist – Want “0 loss of a

precious resource” Believe it is possible.• Utility Staff – Want to know “what to do

with this”• Citizens – Are surprisingly busy

What’s Your Biggest FearWhat’s Your Biggest Fear

No One UnderstandsNo One Understands• Water Loss is complex

– Technical– The word loss (no way this is positive)– Up on the web– See it like they do

• A way for accounting for our water– Where did it go?– How much did that cost?– Can I stop it?

• Water Loss is complex– Technical– The word loss (no way this is positive)– Up on the web– See it like they do

• A way for accounting for our water– Where did it go?– How much did that cost?– Can I stop it?

Up on the WebUp on the Web

????????

What is going up: Validity score, ILI, 3 areas for improvement listed at bottom

of audit

????????

What is going up: Validity score, ILI, 3 areas for improvement listed at bottom

of audit

We Don’t Look so goodWe Don’t Look so good• System to system comparison

– Human nature– It will happen– Message should always be about your utility– Turn the ship back to building a better utility

• You got a D– Focus on next steps– How you are moving forward– Don’t focus on what you are missing– What are you gaining

• System to system comparison– Human nature– It will happen– Message should always be about your utility– Turn the ship back to building a better utility

• You got a D– Focus on next steps– How you are moving forward– Don’t focus on what you are missing– What are you gaining

Unavoidable Loss?Unavoidable Loss?

How citizens see us delivering water

How we think about delivering water

Bridge the divideBridge the divide• Not a technical discussion• It is a scale discussion

– Volume: millions of gallons – Delivery mechanism: miles of pipe– Visibility: underground– Environment: Changing elevations,

roads built over it, soil changes, climate influences

• Frame it using your utility

• Not a technical discussion• It is a scale discussion

– Volume: millions of gallons – Delivery mechanism: miles of pipe– Visibility: underground– Environment: Changing elevations,

roads built over it, soil changes, climate influences

• Frame it using your utility

It’s all New to MeIt’s all New to Me

• This could work in your favor• We tend to get too technical • Do not drown the utility in a sea of

acronyms and water words• As we learn we are on a more level

playing field• As we gain knowledge we are having to

share it with our colleagues• We don’t have the shorthand yet

• This could work in your favor• We tend to get too technical • Do not drown the utility in a sea of

acronyms and water words• As we learn we are on a more level

playing field• As we gain knowledge we are having to

share it with our colleagues• We don’t have the shorthand yet

Spin the MessageSpin the Message• In tough economic times you are looking at non-

revenue water– Water that is not returning money to the utility– Looking at internal efficiencies and policies to get the

most value from the water supplied– This can be two-fold message

• Financial value• Environmental value supply-side conservation

• Focus on what you are doing – The audit informed the utility’s efficiency efforts– It did not end there– Everyone can do something

• Evaluating policies and procedures • Increasing internal departmental coordination • Looking at processes – All free

• In tough economic times you are looking at non-revenue water– Water that is not returning money to the utility– Looking at internal efficiencies and policies to get the

most value from the water supplied– This can be two-fold message

• Financial value• Environmental value supply-side conservation

• Focus on what you are doing – The audit informed the utility’s efficiency efforts– It did not end there– Everyone can do something

• Evaluating policies and procedures • Increasing internal departmental coordination • Looking at processes – All free

Common QuestionsCommon Questions

• How does your system compare?• Why is our validity score so low?• What are you going to do about all

this water?• How much is this costing/Rates• Why do you need a reservoir you are

losing millions of gallons of water?

• How does your system compare?• Why is our validity score so low?• What are you going to do about all

this water?• How much is this costing/Rates• Why do you need a reservoir you are

losing millions of gallons of water?

ResourcesIEPA

ISAWWAIRWA

Talking Points HandoutE-mail of the Common Questions we

completed in class?

ResourcesIEPA

ISAWWAIRWA

Talking Points HandoutE-mail of the Common Questions we

completed in class?

ResourcesResources

Metering and Accountability Policy Statement

Asset Management Policy Statement

Methods to Reduce Real LossesMethods to Reduce Real Losses

Methods to Reduce Apparent Losses

Methods to Reduce Apparent Losses

Replace inaccurate

meters

Reduce/ Eliminate theft

and illegal consumption

Up-to-date accounting of

customers and water use.

No data transfer errors.

Ensure accuracy of analysis from

archived data and data used for billing / water

balance

Replace inaccurate

meters

Reduce/ Eliminate theft

and illegal consumption

Up-to-date accounting of

customers and water use.

No data transfer errors.

Ensure accuracy of analysis from

archived data and data used for billing / water

balance

BenchmarkingBenchmarking

Go to website…Go to website…

Benchmarking participants 2012Benchmarking participants 2012

BenchmarkingBenchmarking

• 21- 26 Water Systems in the last 3 yrs.• The National dataset only actively validated dataset

with a 3 yr. history

• 21- 26 Water Systems in the last 3 yrs.• The National dataset only actively validated dataset

with a 3 yr. history

BenchmarkingBenchmarking21 -26 Water Systems 21 -26 Water Systems

BenchmarkingBenchmarking21 - 26 Water Systems 21 - 26 Water Systems

Open DiscussionOpen Discussion

What did we miss? What else do you want to discuss?

What did we miss? What else do you want to discuss?

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions• What will be done with the audits?• What does my audit mean?• Am I doing well?• Is there room for improvement?• Is it worth it to get my score from 8 to 9?• What do I do next?• How can I reduce losses?• What is the payback?

• What will be done with the audits?• What does my audit mean?• Am I doing well?• Is there room for improvement?• Is it worth it to get my score from 8 to 9?• What do I do next?• How can I reduce losses?• What is the payback?

Contact us anytime!Contact us anytime!

IEPA

ISAWWA

IRWA

????

IEPA

ISAWWA

IRWA

????

Illinois Water Audit and Loss Control Training Workshop

Illinois Water Audit and Loss Control Training Workshop

Fall 2014Fall 2014