Reversing Water Loss in a Rural Municipality

AUTHOR

Kamstrup

Related Topics

Leak Detection

Smart Metering

Network Optimisation

In June 2019, the town of Oneida, Tennessee, was experiencing an impossible situation. With increasing state regulations and massive water loss, the water department was taken over by the local government.

Oneida received a warning from the EPA and, like many rural municipalities with limited resources and ageing infrastructure, was overwhelmed by increasing expectations and out of ideas.

THE CHALLENGE

Oneida produces approx. 1,500 million litres of water a year and saw a 51% water loss, meaning that over 750 million litres were being lost to leaks every year. The loss was costing the municipal council approx. €183,000 annually and meant the water treatment plant had to operate long shifts to keep up with demand.

Oneida’s water system includes two water supply reservoirs, one water and waste water treatment plant and an ageing water distribution system. Routine droughts are also impacting the water supply, as well as the diverse topography contains a mixture of mountains and valleys with various elevations.

THE SOLUTION

Oneida installed 4,600 Kamstrup meters and erected 12 collectors in the EPA’s designated five-week timeframe. With no more than four, or .08%, meters non-operational upon arrival, this proved to be a huge success. In the first three months after the Kamstrup meters were installed, the municipal council’s 51% water loss was reduced to 38% loss, and the water treatment plant operation was reduced by three hours per day. With leak detection in tow, Oneida has transitioned to recovery and is steadily upgrading its infrastructure, utilising a two-man crew to fix an average of five to six leaks per day.

Oneida is now a showcase for municipal water management in Tennessee. In spring 2022, the municipal council was awarded additional grant money for infrastructure improvement thanks to its proactive efforts and transformation.

RESULTS