Unaccounted - for water in rural water systems : a case study

This study measured unaccounted for water losses in two rural Egyptian communities. It examined all water operations aspects of each village and introduced local water supply systems staff to efficient methods of system operation and monitoring. The water staff found that meaningful results can be obtained without sophisticated equipment and measuring devices. The study investigated, in detail, the water consumption and losses in Nahtai and El-Ghorieb villages, Zefta markaz, Gharbiya governorate. Findings are based on nearly 25,000 supply and consumer meter readings taken over a 33-day period, and comprehensive data collected on water consumers. Unaccounted for water loss was found to be 19% in Nahtai and 30% in El Ghorieb. A possible explanation for the lower loss figure in Nahtai is that the community made every effort to minimize losses during the study period. If this is so, then the study proves that village communities have the capacity to minimize losses with little external assistance. The results also indicate that significant economic benefits can results from the measurement of unaccounted for losses, followed by appropriate replacement or repair of those parts of the system responsible for the losses. Findings further suggest that rural villages with independent water sources can invest in reducing water losses and, within one year, recoup that investment. (Author abstract)