Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

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Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy
recommended to achieve this, with the first stage determining the current level of
unaccounted-for water, which would include assessing the existing metering system and
initiating metering improvements wherever necessary. The second stage is the loss
reduction program, which involves implementing various techniques to reduce system
losses.
Unaccounted for Water Assessment Opportunity
The determination of the current levels of unaccounted-for water would be achieved
through assessing the existing system and installing additional bulk water metering where
necessary, specifically at key reservoirs and pipelines in the short term, with expansion to
all reservoirs in the long term. This critical assessment of ESC’s distribution system will
ensure the detection of any flows that are not currently measured. In addition known points
of water use should be metered, including overhead fillers and Council sites. A program to
regularly calibrate the existing bulk water meters should be commenced and any faulty
meters be either repaired or replaced. The calibration of existing bulk water meters can be
carried out in conjunction with reservoir draw-down tests. An assessment of customer water
meters that have been in service for over 10 years would yield a number of low or zero
reading meters. Replacing faulty customer meters would provide more accurate
consumption records and increased revenue for Council.
Loss Reduction Opportunity
Once the existing system flows are determined and all bulk water meters are reading
accurately, preliminary water balances can be used to prioritise the areas for loss reduction
programs. These priorities can be refined until the target level of unaccounted-for water is
met. Water balances and minimum nightly flow tests can be undertaken at a reducing scale
to narrow the leakage search area. At the individual pipeline scale, physical detection
equipment such as spikes and transmitters or correlators that are operated by suitably
experienced personnel is required. The identification of areas of high pressure in the
distribution system and the installation of pressure reducing valves will help to reduce the
overall system losses by reducing the incidence of burst mains and also the flows from any
ruptures.
Benefits and Costs
As part of the regional supply strategy, this opportunity has been costed at $100 000/a for
the first four years and $20 000/a thereafter and is estimated to save 910 kL/a.
8.1.8 Water Pricing Opportunity
A major instrument of demand management in the urban water sector has been price
reform. The key element of this reform has been the move away from a ‘rating’ structure
based on property value to a ‘pay for service’ system that involves charging for water based
on the volume of water consumed. ESC introduced a ‘user pays’ pricing structure in 1993.
This has resulted in a reduction in water consumption in the non-residential sectors.
ESC’s current water charges comprise:
Water access charge – a fixed charge that varies only according to meter size.
Most domestic customers have a standard 20 mm diameter meter and therefore
currently pay a uniform water access charge. Consumers with larger meters pay
higher access charges.
Water usage charges - these charges are applied to measured consumption at the
customer’s meter. Thus every drop if water that passes through the meter is
charged. The current charge is $0.65/kL.