Diagnosis of Water Losses in an Integrated Water Production System

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the water loss rates in the water distribution sections of the Integrated Sertão Central Cabugi System, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, and to present recommendations for improving the system. The operational, commercial and physical data were collected from the reading of macrometers, the service provider's management software and georeferencing of the water main with gps. The results showed a total loss rate in the distribution in the pipeline of 39%. Riachuelo being the municipality with the highest rate of losses in the distribution with 52% in which water balance was carried out and demonstrated that the largest portion is of physical loss. The aging water meter park, old networks, networks passing through private land, lack of measurement in derivations and lack of control measurement districts are the main factors to bring high rates of water losses.