CIWEM believes that the targets set for leakage reduction by water utilities should take greater account of environmental and social issues, and not just economic factors.
Whilst the Institution recognises the importance of leakage reduction in the management of water supplies and supports all efforts to manage leakage effectively and economically, CIWEM is concerned that because of high political and media interest, the role that leakage reduction can play in securing reliable water supplies may be over-played.
In undertaking a holistic approach to the costs and benefits there is a requirement to include social as well as environmental costs. As uncertainty remains regarding the factors to include and how to cost them, CIWEM believes that the Government should give OFWAT guidance on company leakage targets to ensure that wider social, environmental and practical issues are taken into account.
CIWEM recognises that there are several mechanisms by which leakage can be reduced, such as pressure reduction, district metering and associated programmes of active leakage control, online monitoring and leakage helplines. CIWEM believes that all water use should be metered for the purposes of water conservation and more accurate leakage measurement, and wants wider recognition that, if left unattended, leakage rises steadily. Research demonstrates that there is a need for an increasing level of resourcing to attain progressively lower leakage levels. CIWEM also wants any pipe replacement programme to consider capital investment costs, operational costs and environmental and social costs for both repairs and placement.
However, whilst CIWEM believes that all such measures should be pursued to their economic level, a long term view needs to be taken which has due regard to the long term protection of the water environment and the need to conserve and make best use of water. These have to be addressed in the face of the uncertainties of the impact of global warming, including its effects on the availability of water resources and demand, and the need to minimise waste from the use of chemicals and fossil fuels to treat and distribute water.
Source: The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
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