Water Audit and Leak Detection In the early 1980s, the Department of Water Resources conducted a survey with numerous water agencies to determine the amount of water lost from distribution systems due to leaks. The results of that survey indicated approximately 700,000 acre-feet of water are lost each year. In response, DWR prepared a guidebook (Water Conservation Guidebook No. 5: Water Audit and Leak Detection) to assist water agencies with quantifying potential water loss due to leaks (Water Audit) and establishing a program to locate leaks (Leak Detection). Additionally, the Urban Water Management Planning Act (California Water Code, sections 10610-10656) requires water agencies (as defined by the Act) to establish (if economically feasible) fourteen Demand Management Measures (DMM) for water use efficiency. The Water Audit and Leak Detection program is the DMM addressed in Water Code section 10631(f)(1)(c). For members of the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC), this is Best Management Practice 3. http://www.cuwcc.org/m_bmp3.lasso The Water Audit is an accounting procedure using agency data to determine water loss that may be due to distribution system leaks. The Water Audit requires the agency to determine an audit period and gather an assortment of data for that period. The guidebook defines the type of data necessary and provides worksheets as guidelines or for use in the audit. In 2000, DWR released a Microsoft Excel Workbook, Water Audit Workbook (v2.0 2000). This software follows the worksheets of the Guidebook. It simplifies the water audit process by performing any calculations and linking any calculated data to other sheets that use the data. The final worksheet of the software summarizes the data and calculates a benefit-cost ratio. This workbook is available upon request. Once an agency has determined the percentage of water loss and has performed a benefit-cost analysis to verify economic feasibility, a Leak Detection program may be established. The leak detection program is the field portion of the program. It requires knowledge of the layout of the distribution system and a good ear when using the sonic equipment. The Guidebook provides information on what steps are required to establish and perform a leak detection program. North Central Region Office has leak detection equipment available for short-term loan to a water agency, and will provide assistance to local water agencies seeking to conduct a water audit and leak detection survey of their distribution system. For additional information, contact Kim Rosmaier (916) 376-9628 krosmaie@water.ca.gov Education Program Education Materials: DWR CONSERVATION MATERIALS AVAILABLE Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance - Provides a sample ordinance for new and rehabilitated landscaping to promote landscape water efficiency. WUCOLS (PDF, 4MB) - Water Use Classification of Landscape Plants. Provides guidance when selecting plant material while considering water requirements. Graywater Guide (PDF, 1.2MB) - Provides guidelines and standards for incorporating a graywater system into a landscaping project. Water Education Program - The Public Affairs Office has assembled a library of literature and multi-media products that can be used by all ages and interest groups. For a list of available information, see the Water Facts and Fun Catalog or the Graphic Services video catalog. Related Links California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) http://www.creec.org California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom www.cfaitc.org Project WET http://www.projectwet.org/ Yolo Basin Foundation http://www.yolobasin.org/ Irrigation Training and Research Center http://www.itrc.org