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Show TABLE 3. Summary of Leak Detection, Prevention and Repair Practices for varied Sized water utilities Activity < 5MGD 5- 50 MGD > 50 MGD Routine leak detection survey 16 19 40 Systematic pipeline replacement 63 77 100 Routine follow- up inspection program 27 66 80 Routine scale removal 13 31 30 Pipeline program included in rate structure 59 69 80 Pipeline replacement part of annual budget 48 67 90 TABLE 4. Examples of State Regulations Relating to Pipeline Leaks state code Description Florida Rule 40D- 21.601 Requires utilities to improve and accelerate leak detection surveys and repair programs and install and calibrate meters where needed. Massachusetts Chapter 21 Requires the identification of distribution system sources of lost water and, where cost- effective, the implementation of a leak detection ' and repair program. Pennsylvania water allocation permit Requires unaccounted- for water losses to be below 20 percent Rhode island 46- 15.4- 3 Requires maintenance or reduction of unaccounted- for water to stated goals and an optimally operated system for leak detection and repair. results in reduced revenue for the utility. Efforts are being made to improve the accuracy of retail meters through meter repair and replacement programs. Leaks Leaks are the most obvious source of unaccounted- for water. An estimated one- half of the unaccounted- for water is lost to leakage. As part of this study, Utah water utility operators were asked about the volume of unaccounted- for water, their present leak detection and repair programs, and the cost of leak repair and leak prevention programs. The results of the survey are summarized in Table 5 and show the following general information: A. On the average, unaccounted- for water makes up approximately 2.9 percent of the total that is purchased or sold. The high was about 30 percent and the low less than 1 percent. so |