Title: Drinking water loss management in Palestine: a case study of the Hebron city water distribution network

Authors: Samah Jawad Jabari

Addresses: Civil and Architectural Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine

Abstract: The water supply utilities should fulfill water requirement with quantitatively and qualitatively. Drinking water systems are exposed to both natural and manmade risks. Among manmade risks is the water loss which remains a major concern in Palestine. Levels are estimated at approximately 40% to 50%, which is in high levels according to the international standards. this research studies the performance of water distribution systems in Palestine taking Hebron city water distribution network as a case study. The main objective is to audit the water losses in the water distribution network and obtained more information on current water loss prevention and management practices. The results reveal that the estimated present values of water losses in the Hebron city are high and reach more than 30%. The main factors that contribute to water losses are the inaccuracies in billing volumes, unauthorised consumption, and the method of estimating consumptions through faulty meters. Policy for water losses reduction is available in Palestine. But, the number of qualified staffs available to carry out the activities related to leak detection is low, and there is lack of appropriate technologies for water loss reduction, and maintenance system.

Keywords: water loss management; water auditing; real loss; apparent loss; leak detection; water meters; drinking water; water loss prevention; Palestine; case study; Hebron; cities; water distribution networks; urban water distribution; billing inaccuracies; billing accuracy; unauthorised consumption; faulty meters; qualified staff; water maintenance systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2017.083429

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2017 Vol.16 No.1/2/3, pp.91 - 105

Received: 06 Aug 2016
Accepted: 03 Sep 2016
Published online: 29 Mar 2017 *

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