Vasilis Kanakoudis

A new set of water losses-related performance indicators focused on areas facing water scarcity conditions

Abstract As almost all Mediterranean countries are facing water scarcity problems today, water losses in drinking water supply networks have grown to an urgent problem, needing immediate confrontation, representing a too valuable to be neglected water potential. The first step towards water losses reduction is the water supply network performance assessment process. The most commonly used methodology is the one introduced by the International Water Association (IWA), including the International Standard Water Balance and a list of Performance Indicators (PIs). Five years after the second PIs handbook edition was launched increasing the PIs included to 170 from 133 of the first edition, there is a need to re-evaluate them, including also new PIs adapted/focused to regional conditions and addressing other important topics such as environmental issues. The paper presents a new set of water losses-related PIs, focused on areas facing water scarcity conditions met in the Mediterranean countries, forming a soli...

Erratum to: Water Pipe Networks Performance Assessment: Benchmarking Eight Cases Across the EU Mediterranean Basin

The high level of the non-revenue water (NRW: water not generating revenues) is a well-acknowledged problem water utilities are straggling with in areas facing water scarcity. High NRW values jeopardize the sustainability of water utilities, especially in cases, where these values exceed 50 % of the System Input Volume. WATERLOSS project developed a Decision Support System to help water utility managers design the most effective/efficient NRW reduction strategy. The project’s first step was to evaluate the performance of the water distribution systems selected as case studies. The paper presents the respective results of eight cases from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France and Spain, based on a modified International Water Association Water Balance adapted to the water pricing practices met across the Mediterranean (high Fixed Charge included in the water tariffs). The results revealed that although almost all cases experience high NRW levels, the high Fixed Charge reduces the actual revenue losses, thus providing a perfect excuse to the managers of the local water utilities do almost nothing to address the actual extent of the NRW problem in their systems.

River basin management plans developed in Greece, based on the WFD 2000/60/EC guidelines

AbstractThe Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) sets an overall framework for water management in Europe. The main instrument for its implementation is the river basin management plan (RBMP) and the accompanying programme of measures. As we are almost in the end of the WFD implementation cycle (in 2015), the paper presents the progress regarding the RBMPs developed by each EU27 member state (MS). A review of the conformity checks regarding the obligation and the quality of the RBMPs is provided for all EU27 MS. Special focus is given to Greece attempting a comparative analysis of its RBMPs. Although they comply with the context requirements set by the WFD, there have been problems occurring as consequences intense disputes. Special focus is given in the economic assessment. Different methodologies used and the lack of data are the main problems identified.

Accurate water demand spatial allocation for water networks modelling using a new approach

The paper presents an alternative approach regarding the spatial allocation of the actual water demand (at node level) when developing a pipe networks hydraulic simulation model. The process takes into account the respective demand patterns of the various types of water users, considering the water being lost through leaks/breaks occurring, as a competitive use. This new method accurately approximates the demand allocation of a network when there is no GIS data, thus having a significant impact on its cost effectiveness. Kos Town (Greece) water pipe network is used as the case study to demonstrate the entire process and the problems encountered. Finally, to prove its effectiveness the results of the new method were compared to MW-Voronoi diagram methods results and to field measurements.

Three alternative ways to allocate the cost of the CF produced in a water supply and distribution system

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered to be the main cause of climate change, globally. On one hand, specific targets regarding these emissions have been already adopted in a European level. These targets include 20% reduction of GHGs and 20% reduction of energy consumption until 2020, below 1990 levels. Furthermore, EU leaders, going one step forward, have endorsed the objective of reducing Europe’s GHG emissions by 80–95% compared to 1990 levels, until 2050. A number of initiatives have been adopted in order to fulfill these expectations. On the other hand, it is widely recognized that every product’s supply chain consists of high energy-consuming processes. Carbon footprint (CF) is a parameter that should be integrated in the improvement of these processes’ energy efficiency. In this paper, three new approaches of the CF, which produced cost allocation (end-user pays, production based, and profit based), among producers and users are being analyzed. These approaches’ differences are foc...

Basic Principles of a DSS Tool Developed to Prioritize NRW Reduction Measures in Water Pipe Networks

Non-revenue water (NRW) in urban water distribution networks is a very demanding task to handle. NRW impacts are economic (lost revenues), environmental (water and energy losses) and social (inefficient water pricing policies not based on the actual water consumption profile/patterns). To deal with NRW, water utilities turn to water audit tools and water loss control methods. In this context, WATERLOSS project (2G-MED09-445) designed a Decision support system (DSS) tool to help water utilities reduce NRW, applying the most cost effective NRW reduction measure(s). The present paper presents the architecture of the DSS tool developed to classify and evaluate NRW control methods available (conventional and proposed ones). The DSS platform includes the DSS tool, which: (a) proposes a list of prioritized NRW reduction measures; (b) evaluates the network’s performance variables and indicators; (c) compares and benchmarks water distribution networks performances; (d) manages the registry of NRW reduction measures; and (e) induces the measures prioritized for any specific system.

Urban water services public infrastructure projects: Turning the high level of the NRW into an attractive financing opportunity using the PBSC tool

Abstract Today, the public sector worldwide is facing many difficulties in financing several public infrastructure projects. Therefore, the public-private partnerships (PPPs) became a very popular project-providing-tool. One of the sectors where this tool is being rapidly expanding today is the environmental sector. This sector is very important for the public health and the protection of the environment (especially projects concerning water supply, sanitation and solid waste management). Such projects are being implemented through PPPs all over the world. These projects have to do with the reduction of the non revenue water (NRW) and the provision of better services regarding water supply and sanitation. The present paper is a discussion paper about successful and not successful examples of PPPs implementation in the environmental sector. After introducing the basic principals of PPP projects, several problems concerning their implementation are discussed in this paper. Although the PPPs are implemented ...

Water resources vulnerability assessment in the Adriatic Sea region: the case of Corfu Island

Cross-border water resources management and protection is a complicated task to achieve, lacking a common methodological framework. Especially in the Adriatic region, water used for drinking water supply purposes pass from many different countries, turning its management into a hard task to achieve. During the DRINKADRIA project, a common methodological framework has been developed, for efficient and effective cross-border water supply and resources management, taking into consideration different resources types (surface and groundwater) emphasizing in drinking water supply intake. The common methodology for water resources management is based on four pillars: climate characteristics and climate change, water resources availability, quality, and security. The present paper assesses both present and future vulnerability of water resources in the Adriatic region, with special focus on Corfu Island, Greece. The results showed that climate change is expected to impact negatively on water resources availability while at the same time, water demand is expected to increase. Water quality problems will be intensified especially due to land use changes and salt water intrusion. The analysis identified areas where water resources are more vulnerable, allowing decision makers develop management strategies.

Socially fair domestic water pricing: who is going to pay for the non-revenue water?

AbstractTo plan and develop a socially fair water pricing policy is a difficult task to do since many factors need to be taken into consideration. Usually, a significant part of a water tariff structure is the fixed charge that should be associated to the opportunity cost the consumers have to pay. In many cases though, it is set just to balance the water utility’s revenues and expenses. This weird billing practice results in the underestimation of the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and in the minimization of water use efficiency. The application of the IWA Standard International Water Balance 2nd modification and its element, the Minimum Charge Difference (MCD) can reveal how big this “underestimation” is. MCD represents the water volume that although not consumed, generates revenues to the water utility. Another element towards a socially fair pricing policy is the allocation of the NRW-related cost. In every water network, two main water users are identified: the actual water consumers and the network itself ...

Non-revenue water reduction through pressure management in Kozani’s water distribution network: from theory to practice

AbstractDuring the last few years, many water utilities are facing difficulties with the high non-revenue water (NRW) levels. Among the NRW management strategies, water pressure management (PM) is the most popular towards the goals of effective and efficient water use. In an effort to improve the level of services provided to consumers, minimize its operating expenses and reduce water leakage and pipes’ bursts, water utilities rely on water PM although it is one of the most expensive methods. This study analyses a methodology of calculating economic benefits and revenue losses caused due to the reduction of a system’s operating pressure. The reduction of System Input Volume causes direct benefits (e.g. reduced energy costs), while the reduced burst frequency causes direct (e.g. maintenance cost reduction) and indirect potential benefits (e.g. reduction in personnel, insurance and vehicle operation costs). The revenue losses are caused mainly due to the reduction of pressure-dependent water consumption. In...