Adelaide
10.6 Leakage from urban water system

Supporting information

The volume reported (14,718 ML) represents background leakage from the mains water network.

Quantification approach

Data source

Geographic Information System (GIS) database; National Water Commission 2013.  

Provided by

SA Water.

Method

GIS analysis was used to calculate the length of SA Water pipes within the Adelaide region. The leakage volume was calculated by multiplying this length and the 2011–12 mains loss rate for Adelaide, which was 3.74 kL/km/day (National Water Commission 2013).

Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations

  • Assumes length of water mains at 30 June 2012.
  • Leakage from bulk transport pipelines (Mannum–Adelaide Pipeline, Murray Bridge–Onkaparinga Pipeline and Swan Reach–Stockwell Pipeline) and wastewater pipelines is assumed to be negligible.
  • Leakage from fire services and recycled water pipes are not considered.
  • All leakage is assumed to be to groundwater.

Uncertainty information

Derived from measured data. Estimated in the range +/– 30% to +/– 50%.