Evaluation of Water Infrastructure System Operation, Partial Productivity, and Their Relationship to Water Loss

This study aims to identify areas of opportunity for improvement across selected U.S. water utilities through evaluating system operational performance and productivity and the relationship to water losses. Throughout the water utility industry, there is a need to optimize utility performance as the demand for usable and potable water continues to be a global concern. An analysis of partial productivity and total operating productivity using American Water Works Association (AWWA) data highlights potential areas to improve total water output, minimizing water loss. Productivity relative to water output and losses are also presented showing states and utility sizes with high optimal output based on performance and cost measures. Examined are the management of water operation in California and Georgia water utilities, highlighting the inadequacies and opportunities through an analysis of productivity measurement when compared to water loss. A review of existing literature and data from various sources reveals that both states face substantial challenges in addressing water leakage, despite efforts to mitigate the issue. Research results are presented, showing comparison characteristics and possible future opportunities for improvements.