TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of active night population and leakage exponent on leakage estimation in developing countries
AU - Amoatey, Peace Korshiwor
AU - Obiri-Yeboah, Abena Agyeiwaa
AU - Akosah-Kusi, Maxwell
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors.
PY - 2022/1/1
Y1 - 2022/1/1
N2 - Methods for network leakage estimation include water balance, component analysis and minimum night flow (MNF) methods, the latter of which involves subtracting the customer night use (QCNU ) from night leakage and multiplying by the hour day factor (HDF). QCNU and HDF respectively depend on Active Night Population (ANP) and leakage exponent (N1). In most developing countries, these parameters are assumed in the MNF method, thus introducing errors which makes setting realistic leakage reduction targets and key performance indicators (KPI) problematic. In this study, QCNU and HDF were evaluated by determining the relative error associated with ANP and N1 to establish localized rates for accurately estimating leakage in water networks. Between 7 and 11% relative error was associated with every 1% higher or lower ANP while up to 4% relative error was observed for every N1 step considered. A linear relationship exists between the relative error associated with both N1 and ANP although that of ANP is twice as high as N1: This has technical implications for setting water loss reduction targets and investing in the water infrastructure. It is recommended that water utilities must establish localized ANP and N1 values for accurate leakage estimation in water networks.
AB - Methods for network leakage estimation include water balance, component analysis and minimum night flow (MNF) methods, the latter of which involves subtracting the customer night use (QCNU ) from night leakage and multiplying by the hour day factor (HDF). QCNU and HDF respectively depend on Active Night Population (ANP) and leakage exponent (N1). In most developing countries, these parameters are assumed in the MNF method, thus introducing errors which makes setting realistic leakage reduction targets and key performance indicators (KPI) problematic. In this study, QCNU and HDF were evaluated by determining the relative error associated with ANP and N1 to establish localized rates for accurately estimating leakage in water networks. Between 7 and 11% relative error was associated with every 1% higher or lower ANP while up to 4% relative error was observed for every N1 step considered. A linear relationship exists between the relative error associated with both N1 and ANP although that of ANP is twice as high as N1: This has technical implications for setting water loss reduction targets and investing in the water infrastructure. It is recommended that water utilities must establish localized ANP and N1 values for accurate leakage estimation in water networks.
KW - Active night population
KW - Customer night use
KW - Hour-day factor
KW - Leakage exponent
KW - Performance indicators
KW - Relative error
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123516206&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2166/wpt.2021.124
DO - 10.2166/wpt.2021.124
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85123516206
SN - 1751-231X
VL - 17
SP - 14
EP - 25
JO - Water Practice and Technology
JF - Water Practice and Technology
IS - 1
ER -