Measuring operational and quality-adjusted efficiency of Chilean water companies

The path to a sustainable management of the urban water cycle requires the assessment of both operational and quality-adjusted efficiency in a unified manner. This can be done by the use of non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis models. This study used Range Adjusted Measure models to evaluate the operational, quality-adjusted, and operational & quality-adjusted efficiency (O&QAE) scores of the Chilean water industry including water leakage and unplanned interruptions as undesirable outputs. It was found that on average water utilities presented large O&QAE scores over time. The mean O&QAE score was 0.964 which means that water utilities could further reduce costs and undesirable outputs by 3.6% on average, while trying to expand the scale of operation. This finding suggests that excellent quality-adjusted efficiency at an efficient expenditure could be feasible. It was also evidenced that customer density, mixed water resources, and ownership influenced the O&QAE of Chilean water companies.

Water demand management at rural area using Micro-Component Analysis: a case study at Kenyir Lake, Malaysia

Water is one of the cornerstones in human survival and a necessity for socio-economic development. Due to that, effective management of water demand especially in the rural area becomes vital. The objective of this study is to conduct a water demand study at Kenyir Lake, Terengganu using Micro-Component Analysis (MCA). Water demand is also being assessed using National Water Services Commissions (SPAN) Guidelines, parallel to water guidelines applied for Malaysia’s building and comparison purposes. MCA considers detailed parameters of water use activities of the respective study area, whereas SPAN Guidelines use the fixed values of average daily water demand according to the type of building. The available dataset was interpreted using MCA and SPAN Guidelines, resulting in total daily water demand at Kenyir Lake of 1249.8 m3 and 1254.1 m3 respectively. Estimated water demand using SPAN Guidelines is found to be higher than MCA. The value differences occur due to the average water demand value in the guideline that is limited to a specific type of premises and does not comply with premises there. The estimated water demand can be adopted as a baseline for water companies and the government to improve the demand and supply of water.

Prevalent of Staphylococcus aureus from Sachet Waters Sold in Different Areas of Jos Terminus Market, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that causes wide range of infectious diseases both in nosocomial and community settings. The Gram-positive pathogen possess virulence factors that facilitate it to establish infections in the hosts. When a “water for life” is contaminated with infectious bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus then, there may be public health challenge in the area. In this study Samples of Sachet water of different companies ware purchased, marked E, T, C and R and examined for the presence of staphylococcus aureus. Total of 80 sachet waters were examined and a prevalence rate of Staphylococcus aureus 5(25.00%) was recorded. The study revealed that sachet water (E) has the highest prevalence of 15.00%, followed by T (5%) and C (5%) and R had the least prevalence with 0.00%. It was discovered that a Prevalence rate of Abuja market terminus recorded 1(5.00%) while that of Ahmadu Bello way has the highest prevalence of 2(10.00%), Yan Taya market 1(5.00%) and railway 1(5.00%). This shows that S. aureus can be isolated from sachet waters. Though the sachet eaters had NAFDAC numbers, it is advisable to review and quality control such sachet water companies regularly because of Staphylococcus aureus and other public health infectious agants. The populace should equally be careful with the type of waters they drink.

Transforming a water company to improve service levels and resilience: Lessons from Sierra Leone

All water companies need to be able to provide safe, adequate and reliable water supplies to their customers and consumers. Yet some work under very daunting conditions. The civil war in Sierra Leone resulted in the destruction of much water supply infrastructure. It also had a devastating impact on the performance of water companies. Since the war ended in 2002 other changes continue, such as: population growth, unplanned urbanisation, environmental destruction and climate change, plus the Ebola outbreak. These pressures all have a massive impact on the natural environment and on demands for water. It is against this background that Guma Valley Water Company is trying to rebuild water infrastructure and strengthen utility arrangements for providing a reliable and affordable service on which people depend. This article describes ongoing efforts to improve water supply in Freetown. The case study highlights the multi-faceted nature of resilience building and the processes that must be undertaken if water companies are to become resilient. Long-term technical and financial support is required, however, programmes should be realistic in their expectations.

Evaluating the Pressure and Loss Behavior in Water Pipes Using Smart Mathematical Modelling

Due to the constant need to enhance water supply sources, water operators are searching for solutions to maintain water quality through leakage protection. The capability to monitor the day-to-day water supply management is one of the most significant operational challenges for water companies. These companies are looking for ways to predict how to improve their supply operations in order to remain competitive, given the rising demand. This work focuses on the mathematical modeling of water flow and losses through leak openings in the smart pipe system. The research introduces smart mathematical models that water companies may use to predict water flow, losses, and performance, thereby allowing issues and challenges to be effectively managed. So far, most of the modeling work in water operations has been based on empirical data rather than mathematically described process relationships, which is addressed in this study. Moreover, partial submersion had a power relationship, but a total immersion was more likely to have a linear power relationship. It was discovered in the experiment that the laminar flows had Reynolds numbers smaller than 2000. However, when testing with transitional flows, Reynolds numbers were in the range of 2000 to 4000. Furthermore, tests with turbulent flow revealed that the Reynolds number was more than 4000. Consequently, the main loss in a 30 mm diameter pipe was 0.25 m, whereas it was 0.01 m in a 20 mm diameter pipe. However, the fitting pipe had a minor loss of 0.005 m, whereas the bending pipe had a loss of 0.015 m. Consequently, mathematical models are required to describe, forecast, and regulate the complex relationships between water flow and losses, which is a concept that water supply companies are familiar with. Therefore, these models can assist in designing and operating water processes, allowing for improved day-to-day performance management.

Multi-Actor Platforms in the Water–Agriculture Nexus: Synergies and Long-Term Meaningful Engagement

Solutions to current complex environmental challenges demand the consultation and involvement of various groups in society. In light of the WFD’s requirements of public participation, this paper presents an analysis of the establishment and development of nine different multi-actor platforms (MAPs) across Europe set up as arenas for long-term engagements to solve water quality challenges in relation to agriculture. The MAPs represent different histories and legacies of engagement; some are recent initiatives and some are affiliated with previous government-initiated projects, while other MAPs are long-term engagement platforms. A case study approach drawing on insights from the nine engagement processes is used to discuss conditions for enabling long-term multi-actor engagement. The perceived pressure for change and preferred prioritization in complying with mitigating water quality problems vary within and among the MAPs. The results show that governmental and local actors’ concern for water quality improvements and focusing on pressure for change are important for establishing meaningful multi-actor engagement when concerns translate into a clear mandate of the MAP. Furthermore, the degree to which the MAPs have been able to establish relationships and networks with other institutions such as water companies, agricultural and environmental authorities, farmers, and civil society organizations influences possibilities for long-term meaningful engagement.

Design and Development of Water Distribution Monitoring System in Regional Drinking Water Companies (PDAM) Based On Internet Of Things

The purpose of this study is to create a prepaid PDAM clean water distribution system using a microcontroller based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The hardware used to realize the system consists of ultrasonic sensors, water flow sensors, relays, LCD buzzers and Arduino. ESP 8266 01 for delivery to the Thingspeak app. From the test results obtained HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor reading error occurs when the water level is low and too high, the maximum measurable water level is 95%. When calculating the comparison between the water discharge that is read by the sensor and that measured by the measuring cup, the results are always not the same. The error when testing the water flow sensor at the water level is less than 49% this is influenced by the speed of the water fired by the pump, where the pump will be under low pressure when the water level is below that value. The system can monitor data readings from the water flow sensor using the ESP8266 monitored on the thinkspeak web server using a smartphone. Overall the tool can function well.

Technical condition of sewer networks in the Czech Republic

This article offers a comparison of the detected defects in sewerage systems operated by water companies and by self-operators, determines their quantity and classifies them into individual categories. The determination of the number of the defects at self-operators is evaluated on the basis of performed camera inspections and compared with data provided by the water company.