Download - Expert Survey Results Final
The Impact of Urban Water LossA survey of global expert opinion
October 2008
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The research approach
• What: 100 structured telephone interviews
• Who: Interviews carried out with IWA membership working in/for the water industry across both the developed and
developing world:
- Consultancy33
- University24
- Research Institute25
- Other18
• When: Fieldwork carried out in August 2008
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Scale of water loss condemned as unacceptable…but no surprise for many
The world loses around 1/3 of its drinking water each year, equivalent to 32billion m3 and valued at approximately $18 billion. In visual terms this is
equivalent to 36,00 Olympic swimming pools every day
I am aware of this…63%
I was unaware of
this…37%
“…and I find it concerning”: 93%
“…and I find it unacceptable”: 78%
“…and I find it shocking”: 58%
Q: Are you aware of these figures? And do you find these figures…?
Base: All respondents (100)
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Key negative consequence of water loss is inability of water utilities to provide safe, clean water…
5%
8%
20%
14%
53%
The provision of safe, clean water for the world’s urban
population
Saving money
Saving energy
Reducing contamination
Decreasing chemical usage
Q: Which of the following do you consider to be the biggest issue when considering urbanwater loss? Is it…?
Base: All respondents (100)
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…and most experts feel water loss could reach crisis point in the next 15 years
“Reducing urban water loss can significantly save energy”: 94%
“There is an environmental obligation to address water loss”: 92%
“Reducing water loss is vital to supply more people with fresh water”: 87%
“We are likely to face crisis if water loss is not resolved in the next 15 years”: 67%
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Base: All respondents (100)
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Overcoming investment and funding barriers key to stemming water loss
41%
50%
54%
71%
75%
78%
46%
68%
Lack of awareness
Lack of funding
Other concerns and priorities
Lack of easy-to-work with solutions providers
Reluctance to invest based on concern over revenue returns
Urban water management solutions are underground and less exciting
Lack of interest
30%
4%
4%
16%
8%
13%
14%
7%
Main barrier
Lack of comprehensive co-ordination
43%
Base: All respondents (100)
Q: What do you think are the barriers to resolving water loss issues? And which of these is the main barrier to resolving water loss?
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Most experts expect utilities to be held financially accountable in next decade…
No33%
Yes67%
16%
51%
16%
16%
In the next…
5 years
10 years
15 years
Beyond this
67%
Do you see a time when the water industry will be held accountable for water loss and expected to compensate for this?
Base: All respondents (100); All respondents answering ‘yes’ (67)
Q: Do you foresee a time when the water industry will be held accountable for water loss andexpected to compensate for this? When do you think this is likely to happen?
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…but many feel the industry still doesn’t understand true extent of the problem
No42%
Yes58%
Base: All respondents (100)
Do you consider that the water industry as a whole has a clear understanding of the extent of the problem of urban water loss?
Q: Do you consider that the water industry as a whole has a clear understanding of the extent of the problem of urban water loss?
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Reducing water loss best and most cost effective solution to increasing supply
10%
24%
28%
4%
34%
Management of water demand
Desalinisation
Reduction of water loss
Water re-use
Don’t know
Best solution…
14%
33%
14%
39%
Most cost effective solution…
Base: All respondents (100)
Q: Thinking of the different solutions to increase water supply, which do you think is the best solution? And which is the most cost effective?
10
A comprehensive approach is required to reduce water loss
3%
9%
4%
84%
A comprehensive solution covering all aspects
Controlling water pressure in the system
Leakage detection and repair
Don’t know
Base: All respondents (100)
Q: If you were tasked with tackling urban water loss, what do you think would be the best way of doing this?
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Appendix
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Membership type
5%
6%
25%
24%
33%
Research Institute
University
Consultancy
Utility
Technology Supplier
Industrial Water User - 3%
Regulator - 2%Other - 2%
Base: All respondents (100)
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Geographical distribution of interviews
Developing Developed
13%
28%
13%
20%11%
6%
9%US/Canada
UKOther
Europe
Scandinavia
Asia
Africa
S. America
Belgium, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
India, Jordan
Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda
Argentina, Mexico
Base: All respondents (100)
For further information please contact:
Peter Fecko, Mmd: T. 00421 905 213 136, email: [email protected]