This indicator is part of Reliable water system.

Indicator description:                                                           

This indicator measures the difference between the volume of water distributed for use by all customer classes and the volume of water actually billed to authorized users. There are several key factors contributing to unaccounted-for-water. The major ones are leakage, metering inaccuracies, and unauthorized consumption. Only leakage is a true loss of water. Tracking water loss helps in understanding the condition of the distribution system infrastructure, and thus, its ability to efficiently convey water through the system to users.

Why is this indicator relevant?

A reliable water distribution system is critical for meeting health and safety needs of residents. Our distribution system is aging and still contains steel and cast iron lines from the 1950’s. Additionally, high density polyethylene service lines, used after this period, have a high potential for developing leaks. Given the value and scarcity of water in Albuquerque, like other Southwestern desert cities, the importance of sound infrastructure is even more important. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) has continued efforts begun when the Utility was operated by the City to replace small diameter steel water mains (which account for 44% of all leaks), HDPE and other mains that have a history of significant leaks. Mitigating leaks is a commitment to water conservation.

Sound infrastructure is necessary for long term economic development and sustainable use of our limited natural resources.

Data Sources:
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 Performance Plans, citing American Water Works Association (AWWA) Benchmarking survey.

What can we tell from the data?

• The overall performance of the water system is within the median range for the last three fiscal years.
• Even though the percentage of water loss has increased over the past three fiscal years, the actual water loss is fairly stable since the overall production has decreased due to water conservation. Fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 show significantly less water loss than FY/04.
• The community’s utility ranks in the lowest quartile of utilities in the western United States, but is in the median for large utilities and combined water and wastewater utilities.

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