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Since the early 1990s there have
been many notable advances in the technology and equipment used for
recording and transmitting flow and pressure data, and detection of leaks,
in public water supply systems.
The Concepts page
of this website shows that there has also been a parallel development in
practical concepts for assessing, analysing and modelling leakage, and in
better understanding of the relationships between pressure and leak flow
rates, frequency of new leaks, consumption and asset life. These advances are being
used and disseminated throughout the World by the International Water Association
(IWA); initially (from 1996) through the Water Losses Task Force, and (from 2010) through the Water Loss Specialist Group, whose Water Loss Conferences now attract over 600 delegates, using the same international best practice terminology, performance indicators and concepts.
Reports and articles, for example through the IWA 'Water 21' series of articles, are an essential
part of raising awareness and providing useful overview information.
However, once interest has been stimulated and expectations raised, the
best fast-track way for Water Utilities to apply the methods is through the
use of appropriately customised, user-friendly software, preferably with
basic training, and easy access to such specialist support as may be
necessary.
The LEAKS Suite softwares are designed
to be easily customised (for units, currency or language) and upgraded
whenever any significant improvements in international 'best
practice' are identified. They were created, and are regularly updated, by Allan Lambert, the
leader of the first IWA Water Losses Task Force, who was responsible for
many of the analytical advances. They are distributed by experienced
specialist practitioners (see International Distributors
page) who support the IWA Water Loss Specialist Group activities, and can
provide training, technical advice, and consultancy support on an ‘as required’ basis.
Starting with the free CheckCalcs software,
Water Utilities can now quickly:
-
become familiar with the ‘4
Component’ approach to management of real losses
-
assess annual real
(physical) losses volume from a standard IWA water balance
-
use the World Bank
Institute banding system to grade their leakage management performance
against international standards, and identify key priority
activities appropriate to their situation
-
identify opportunities and
possible ranges of benefits from pressure management
Individual Utilities wishing to
proceed further can purchase low cost Site Licences for Standard
softwares - PIFastCalcs, PressCalcs, ALCCalcs and ELLCalcs - which their personnel
can use for familiarisation with the basic concepts and calculations. These
can later be customised and enhanced to the Utility’s specific requirements
if required, or specific new softwares created, as Professional
softwares. Various versions of LEAKS Suite
software are currently in use in
over 65 countries (as at February 2012).
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