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AUSTIN WATER Water Loss and Mitigation Briefing Matt Cullen, P.E. September 1, 2021 Water Loss and Mitigation Briefing September 1, 2021 Overview: Austin Water’s water distribution system includes 3,965 miles of pipeline ranging in size from 2-inch diameter to 84-inch diameter pipes. While all water systems experience water loss, Austin Water has a multi- pronged approach to increase accuracy of our measurements and reduce sources of water loss in our system.  On-going participation in industry best practices and innovations  Fast response to reported leaks  Infrastructure renewal investments  Proactive detection and prevention Agenda  Measuring Water Loss  Performance Indicators for Water Loss  Austin Water Performance  Production Meter Validation Project  Strategies to Address Water Loss  Summary and Questions Measuring Water Loss  American Water Works Association methodology: Plant Production Meter Volumes Known and Estimated Water Use (metered-billed, fire fighting, flushing, etc.) Water Loss Performance Indicators  Infrastructure Leak Index (ILI)  Real Water Losses/Unavoidable Real Loss  Based on miles of main, system pressure, and number of connections  Benchmarks: • 1.0 – Theoretical perfection • 2.0 – Excellent performance • 3.0-5.0 – Texas Water Development Board suggested range Austin Water’s Performance Infrastructure Leakage Index Lead pipe 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 TWDB SUGGESTED RANGE FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020  ILI is within Texas Water Development Board’s suggested range  Total water loss is increasing Austin Water’s Performance Water Loss Metrics Comparison Lead pipe 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 ILI Leaks/100 Miles of Main Industry Average Leaks/100 Miles of Main  ILI is not tracking the same as our other metrics Production Meter Validation Project  Consultant performed meter validation at all three plants (37 meters)  Preliminary take-aways: • Not all meters were calibrated correctly • Some plant meters have errors in excess of ±5% • Errors are variable • Impact on previous calculations are not clear  Action items: • Refine calibration procedures • Make recommended corrections and improvements • Repeat validation process after improvements are completed Strategies to Address Water Loss Response to reported leaks Percent of Leaks responded to in under 3 hours 100.0 90.0 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % < 3 hours  Crews respond to Priority 1 leaks within 3 hours about 90% of the time Strategies to Address Water Loss Infrastructure Renewal  Replacing, renewing, rehabilitating water pipelines  Program focused on pipes most vulnerable to additional leaks  Includes program to reduce the number of polybutylene services  Incorporating seamless HDPE pipe into our system Strategies to Address Water Loss Advanced Meter Infrastructure  My ATX Water – 240,000 meters to be replaced by 2025  Enhanced leak detection on the customer side  Potential for reducing losses through pressure sensors, leak sensors, and district metered areas Strategies to Address Water Loss Proactive Detection and Prevention  Condition Assessments Conducted Annually: • 500-700 miles of the system • 10 miles of transmission main leak detection • 5-10 miles of transmission main condition assessment  Innovation and Partnerships: • Emerging technologies research • UT collaboration Proactive Detection and Prevention  Potential catastrophic failures averted: 48” at Westgate/William Cannon 48” along MoPac at 2222 Next steps:  Complete action items from production meter validation project  Continue current best practice water loss reduction strategies  Engage a water loss expert consultant to review our programs Questions?