Assessing Data Adequacy for Determining Utility-Specific Water Loss Reduction Standards

In 2017, urban water retailers in California reported 364 million m3 real losses within their distribution systems, representing on average 7.12% of total delivered that year. Recognizing the value these losses, State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) has proposed setting economic loss reduction standards—regulatory levels—that are individually tailored based utility-specific data. Our research analyzed data sets currently available to SWRCB, including audits and electronic annual reports, as well supplemental collected by utilities determine if information is adequate for creating regulations. Adequacy was evaluated data’s completeness, validity scores, consistency. We found that, given current state data, resulting standards may not be representative individual variability greater than a reduction. It recommended entities considering similar targets consider timing, collection tool, selection when developing policy.