Revising the existing Performance Indicator system for small water supply utilities in Japan

97.5% of the water utilities in Japan serve less than 50,000 customers, and are called small water utilities. The Performance Indicator system in Japan, used to evaluate the performance of various aspects of the supply system, currently has 137 items, which are too many in number for the small utilities to adopt because of resource and financial constraints. The objective of this study is to, thus, revise the existing PI system to arrive at a reduced, relevant and practical structure that provides enough information to rationally evaluate small water supply systems in Japan. Principal Component Analysis was used to reduce the dimensionality of the original data. The results suggest that only nine components, consisting of 33 items (called 9-cPIS), are sufficient for evaluating the small water utilities. The effectiveness of the 9-cPIS in benchmarking, evaluating business models, and the planning and management of the water utilities has been discussed further.     

Lead pipe rehabilitation and replacement techniques for drinking water service—survey of utilities

The purpose of this technical note is to summarize results from a survey of water utilities regarding preferred lead pipe rehabilitation and replacement techniques for small diameter (<25 mm) water service pipes. The survey results are based on responses from 23 water utilities ranging in size from 26,500 to 4,656,000 m³/d in North America, Europe and Japan. In North America, survey respondents indicated preferences for the open-trench, pull-through, and moling technologies. In Europe, respondents indicated preferences for the open-trench and moling technologies. In Japan, respondents indicated overwhelming preference for the open-trench technology. Results from this survey were used to identify factors affecting the performance, advantages, and limitations of each technology.     

Optimal water tariffs and supply augmentation for cost-of-service regulated water utilities

We describe how a common method for regulating water utilities, cost-of-service regulation, can both in theory and practice result in the premature and economically inefficient water supply augmentation. Using a dynamic model calibrated to demand and supply conditions in Sydney, Australia we show how to optimally determine the time to supply augment using a ‘golden rule’ that minimises the average volumetric price paid by consumers. Our results show that, the greater the water scarcity and the longer the operational life of the additional supply, the sooner is the optimal time to augment. Based on our findings, we recommend that price regulators of water utilities adopt an historical cost less depreciation basis for a regulated asset base and a fully flexible and dynamically efficient volumetric pricing that accounts for the marginal opportunity cost of water supplies.     

Adoption of increasing block tariffs (IBTs) among urban water utilities in major cities in China

Increasing block tariffs (IBTs) have been officially endorsed by the Chinese government since 1998, but by the end of 2013, fewer than half of the country’s 36 major cities had adopted IBTs as the tariff structure for their water utilities. Our study examines the main factors affecting these cities’ decisions on whether or not to adopt IBTs, considering both general characteristics of the cities and characteristics of their water utilities. A discrete-time hazard model is used for empirical analysis. Results show that factors most likely to affect a major city’s decision on IBT adoption include the city’s economic development as measured by growth rate of GDP; changes in the relative importance of the domestic water sector; the city’s wastewater treatment rate and leakage rate; and business structure of the water utility.     

Rehabilitation of water networks: Survey of research needs and on-going efforts

Several water utilities experience and expect a great future challenge due to shortage of water, economical constraints and ageing water supply networks. The current and expected amount of pipe bursts and leaks are important indicators on network condition. Documentation of network properties, failures and water leaks, therefore, are of crucial importance for an efficient management. The paper refers different ways of handling this scope in European countries and in North America. The use of statistical methods for estimating existing and future rehabilitation needs and the use of software tools for prioritising actions are discussed. Current development on technologies for detecting leaks and for measuring pipe wall thinning is commented. It is argued that there is still a knowledge gap, and that joint international research could be a way to improve the knowledge, create new technologies and improve the water network management. A possible frame for an international programme has been presented.     

Advances in on-line drinking water quality monitoring and early warning systems

Significant advances have been made in recent years in technologies to monitor drinking water quality for source water protection, treatment operations, and distribution system management, in the event of accidental (or deliberate) contamination. Reports prepared through the Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) and United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) agree that while many emerging technologies show promise, they are still some years from being deployed on a large scale. Further underpinning their viability is a need to interpret data in real time and implement a management strategy in response. This review presents the findings of an international study into the state of the art in this field. These results are based on visits to leading water utilities, research organisations and technology providers throughout Europe, the United States and Singapore involved in the development and deployment of on-line monitoring technology for the detection of contaminants in water.     

Saving water in cities: Assessing policies for residential water demand management in four cities in Europe

Policies for water demand management (WDM) have evolved in recent decades as an important strategy to reduce water consumption in cities. The objective of this study is to identify what WDM policies have been most effective, based on the perspectives of water utilities and experts. To this end, four cities with a low per capita residential water usage were identified: Berlin, Copenhagen, Tallinn and Zaragoza. A mixed-methods approach, including a questionnaire for water utility officials, semi-structured interviews, and review of secondary data and information, was used to identify successful policies. Results show that residential consumption from 1995 to 2015 has reduced in all four cities, irrespective of which policies were perceived to be more or less effective, though savings have been larger for cities with a larger number of perceived effective policies. WDM policies rated as highest-impact were renovation and maintenance of networks, and campaigns for water-saving technologies, followed by universal installation of water meters, rapid leak detection, public awareness campaigns, and municipal regulations. Tariff reforms were mentioned as impactful only in one case. However, lowering the level of urban water use by too much may lead to technological and financial challenges for water utilities.     

The influence of coping appraisals on the adoption of decentralised water systems in Australia

In Australia, water scarcity has resulted in the need for re-evaluating demand management policies, as well as the identification of alternative water supplies. Specifically, water utilities have been focusing on increasing the adoption of household level decentralised water systems (DWS). While such engineering solutions may be effective, understanding the factors which influence adoption is crucial for widespread uptake. Protection Motivation (PM) theory was used to assess DWS adoption in a sample of 295 homeowners across South East Queensland, Australia. Results provided good support for the application of PM theory to understanding whether people cope adaptively to water shortage threats. The model’s hypothesised link between adaptive coping and behavioural intention was also supported, suggesting PM theory can be used to understand people’s intention to adopt DWS in the context of the drought. The predictive ability of the PM model improved significantly when demographic variables – age and perceived water – use were included.     

Lead pipe rehabilitation and replacement techniques for drinking water service: review of available and emerging technologies

The purpose of this paper is to describe currently available and emerging technologies regarding the rehabilitation and replacement of small diameter (< 25 mm) lead pipes for water service. Numerous techniques currently are available and can be classified into five technology categories: open trench, replacement on new route (e.g. moling), replacement using existing route (e.g. pull through), pipe coating, and slip lining. Each technology has its own particular advantages and limitations. As such, water utilities should be prepared to use a range of techniques applicable to site-specific conditions.     

Exergy analysis in the assessment of the sustainability of waste gas treatment systems.

This study focuses on the sustainability of different technological options for the treatment of waste gases from a waste water treatment plant loaded with volatile organic compounds. The options considered are biofiltration, active carbon adsorption and catalytic and thermal oxidation. The amount of resources and utilities to construct and operate each system have been investigated from the point of view of the Second Law of thermodynamics. The unit in which all resources are treated is Joules of exergy. It was concluded that biofiltration was the most exergetically efficient system. The cumulative exergy consumption of the resources and utilities for construction and operation have been quantified in exergy terms. Further on, the requirements for the abatement of emissions generated by operating the waste gas treatment systems and the amount of renewables have been taken into account in the assessment of the sustainability of the waste gas treatment technologies. Finally, a comparison between exergy analysis and life cycle analysis in assessing the sustainability of the waste gas treatment options, is presented.     

Incorporating nonrevenue water in the efficiency assessment of water supply utilities: A parametric enhanced hyperbolic distance function

This study assesses the technical efficiency of water utilities incorporating an undesirable output, nonrevenue water, and allowing a proportional input reduction. A parametric enhanced hyperbolic distance function was applied to Malaysia's 14 state water utilities from 2000 to 2017. Overall, Malaysia's water utilities can increase the water volume delivered while decreasing nonrevenue water and making further input reductions. Water utilities, on average, experienced higher technical efficiency after the regulatory reform. Network density and regulatory reform significantly influenced the technical inefficiency of water utilities in Malaysia.     

Biodiversity accountability in water utilities: A case study

Caring for biodiversity is a significant challenge for companies worldwide. The role of water utilities in this context is pivotal: as key actors in providing core services while balancing the interests of the many stakeholders interested in their activity, water utilities are adopting different accounting tools to increase their accountability. To understand the motivations and to explore the mechanisms underlying water utilities' biodiversity accountability practices, a case study is developed. Findings reveal how normative isomorphism, and coercive requirements, is driving water utilities accountability. Also, the study reveals the centrality of integrated reporting and alternative accounting practices for disclosing on biodiversity.     

Strategic planning for water utilities in developing countries

A common feature of public water utilities in developing countries is their lack of a commercial orientation. As a result, many utilities find themselves locked in a cycle of poor corporate performance—with low coverage of services, huge amounts of non-revenue water and insufficient funding for maintenance and expansion. Strategic planning in such turbulent times should be relevant, cost-effective and transforming. This paper discusses a strategic planning framework to assist utilities in developing meaningful and useful performance improvement plans. Recent application of this framework in Africa has demonstrated its relevancy, cost-effectiveness and potential to transform poorly performing water utilities.     

Data utilization at finnish water and wastewater utilities: Current practices vs. state of the art

This paper analyses the current role of data assets and information systems at water and wastewater utilities in a context where most utilities are small to medium sized. Special focus is put on big data and open data, and existing information systems for their management. Based on a survey and the available literature, we conclude that water utilities could benefit from developing their data assets, and that increasing amounts of data will require utilities build in-house competencies related to management, technology, and security.     

Comparison of operational energy requirements in publicly and privately owned U.S. water utilities

One question in the ongoing discussion about privatization in the water industry is whether publicly or privately owned water utilities are more efficient. This study examines the question from an energy perspective using new data from water systems in the United States. Economic theory predicts that privately owned water utilities should use less energy relative to output than their public counterparts. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two types of systems. This finding aligns with others indicating that privately owned water utilities do not necessarily perform better than publicly owned water utilities and suggests that energy management policies and practices should regard both types similarly.     

城镇水务特许经营的现状及其前景

我国城镇水务特许经营已有10余年的改革实践。本文通过对国有、民营以及外资水务特许经营的情况进行比较,分析、探讨城镇水务特许经营中存在的问题,最后从完善法规、竞争机制、管理规制等方面对深化城镇水务特许经营进行展望。     

Implications of organic carbon in the deterioration of water quality in reclaimed water distribution systems

Changes in water quality in reclaimed water distribution systems are a major concern especially when considering the potential for growth of pathogenic microbes. A survey of 21 wastewater process configurations confirmed the high quality effluent produced using membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology, but suggests that other technologies can be operated to produce similar quality. Data from an intensive twelve-month sampling campaign in four reclaimed water utilities revealed the important trends for various organic carbon parameters including total organic carbon (TOC), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), and assimilable organic carbon (AOC). Of the four utilities, two were conventional wastewater treatment with open reservoir storage and two employed MBR technology with additional treatment including UV, ozone, and/or chlorine disinfection. Very high BDOC concentrations occurred in conventional systems, accounting for up to 50% of the TOC loading into the system. BDOC concentrations in two conventional plants averaged 1.4 and 6.3 mg/L and MBR plants averaged less than 0.6 mg/L BDOC. Although AOC showed wide variations, ranging from 100 to 2000 μg/L, the AOC concentrations in the conventional plants were typically 3-10 times higher than in the MBR systems. Pipe-loop studies designed to understand the impact of disinfection on the microbiology of reclaimed water in the distribution system revealed that chlorination will increase the level of biodegradable organic matter, thereby increasing the potential for microbial growth in the pipe network. This study concludes that biodegradable organic carbon is an important factor in the microbial quality and stability of reclaimed water and could impact the public health risk of reclaimed water at the point of use.     

Quality assurance and quality control practices for rehabilitation of sewer and water mains

As part of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program, several areas of research are being pursued including a review of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices and acceptance testing during the installation of rehabilitation systems (USEPA 2011). The objectives of this research effort were to collect, analyze and summarize information on the installation and QA/QC practices for the trenchless rehabilitation of sewer and water transmission mains. In addition, consideration was given to practices related to water service lines, sewer service laterals, force mains, siphons, sewer manholes, pumping stations, associated wet wells and other appurtenances. This review was accomplished primarily by conducting interviews directly with rehabilitation technology vendors, design engineers and water and wastewater utilities that have a track record of using trenchless rehabilitation technologies within their network. This paper provides an overview of how QA/QC issues have been handled in North America for trenchless rehabilitation technologies.     

卡压式薄壁不锈钢管材应用技术要求初探

给水管道卡压连接技术是2005年建筑业10项推广应用的新技术,本文从卡压式薄壁不锈钢管材的卫生要求、产品成熟度的要求、产品标准的要求、壁厚的要求、工艺规则的要求、管件密封材料的要求出发,探讨了如何保证卡压式薄壁不锈钢管材使用过程中的高水质、低维护、长寿命的性能。     

Real-life resilience: Exploring the organisational environment of international water utilities

The water sector has signalled the need to advance organisational and social resilience efforts. There is a lack of understanding of whether the organisational environment in water utilities is conducive to organisational resilience. Themes from interviews showcased challenges related to cognitive and contextual organisational properties. We identified a need to broaden the cognitive frame of utilities to account for flexible concepts of enhanced sense-making. We propose categories of organisational silos and a set of cultural attributes that contribute to organisational resilience. Interventions are needed to develop the cognitive, behavioural, and contextual properties of utilities that support organisational resilience.