Apparent losses due to domestic water meter under-registration in South Africa

Authors

  • FA Couvelis Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
  • JE van Zyl Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v41i5.13

Keywords:

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Abstract

This study investigated the extent of apparent losses due to water meter under-registration in South Africa. This was done by first estimating the under-registration of new meters due to on-site leakage, and then the additional under-registration due to meter aging. The extent and flow distributions of on-site leakage were determined through field studies in Cape Town, Mangaung and Johannesburg, by measuring the flow through new water meters when no legitimate consumption occurred on the property. The results were used in combination with the accuracy curves of new meters to estimate meter under-registration. The eThekwini meter replacement database was used to estimate the effect of meter age on meter accuracy. By combining these results with the average age of meters in South Africa, estimated from the National Water Demand Archive, it was possible to estimate the average meter under-registration due to meter aging. The study concluded that apparent losses due to water meter under-registration are around 5% of consumption for domestic consumers.

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Published

2015-10-29

How to Cite

FA Couvelis, & JE van Zyl. (2015). Apparent losses due to domestic water meter under-registration in South Africa . Water SA, 41(5 October). https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v41i5.13

Issue

Section

Research paper