Developing appropriate performance indicators for urban water distribution systems evaluation at Mediterranean countries

As water bodies are being severely stressed due to climate change conditions and growing populations, special attention must be given to areas experiencing water scarcity problems. The Mediterranean area countries are suffering from water scarcity problems jeopardizing the sustainability of the local ecosystems. At the same time, more than 50% of the urban water being supplied in these countries, is being lost through leaks and breaks occurring in the water distribution systems mainly due to lack of efficient water losses reduction strategies. In order to guarantee sufficient quantities of good quality water, water utilities must apply water auditing and water losses control methods. International Water Association (IWA) developed a WB assessment methodology based on a very detailed handbook including 170 water system PIs, based on 232 system variables that need to be regularly monitored. Trying to implement the IWA methodology many practical problems appeared regarding unreliable or even lacking data, local conditions and characteristics. The present paper presents the methodology used to develop new PIs based on the special conditions of the Mediterranean area. The PIs are divided in three groups, regarding the way they are being formed: a) existing ones; b) derived by existing ones properly modified to address special issues; c) new ones developed based on the concept introduced by the IWA, covering additional topics. This whole attempt is elaborated via the on-going project named WATERLOSS-Management of water losses in a drinking water supply system (Project 2G-MED09-445).