Distributing Peace of Mind

In the multi-barrier approach that water industry uses to protect public health, distribution systems are a vital link between utilities and their customers. The more customers system has, it can spread out costs improve services, yet every customer expects receive safe, continuous supply throughout system. addition minimizing leaks managing demands, do lot publicly reinforce importance of pipes deliver safe drinking community's homes businesses. This month's Journal AWWA touches on wide range topics involving distribution, starting with how help optimize use by implement measures lower bills. Various incentives be “stacked” extend savings, as our cover story highlights, Metropolitan Water District Southern California has worked diligently its member agencies retail agency an allows co-funding flexibility, ensures rebate accuracy, maintains good results consumers. Collaborating conservation all customers, better address efficiency in specific sectors like disadvantaged communities for large users. Another article this month focuses establish meet levels service (LoS) within asset management programs. Different metrics overall service, especially those focused expectations, organizational goals, technical capabilities. For example, utility may look at breaks chart course break rate from 15 10 per 100 miles pipe year. As experience framework grows, LoS maximize resources so they expectations support life cycle decision-making. Further management, another explores advanced analytics, particularly machine learning, provide accurate predictions systems. By improving these estimates, plan spending replacement prioritize which replace. Machine learning models present great opportunity save money creating proactive identifies right replace time. Distribution sight, but never mind professionals. If you have innovative projects or sustainable approaches could benefit industry, please consider writing contacting me [email protected].