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Reports on water companies
International comparisons - water balance: results for 2006-07 Key conclusions
Table 14 contains figures for distribution input ((l/prop/d), household water delivered (l/head/d), distribution losses and leakage (in l/prop/d and m3/km/d). Distribution input is also shown in figure 7. The Netherlands reports the lowest average distribution input. This can be explained partly by the low per capita consumption in the Netherlands. It is also because of the good condition of the network resulting from both a large scale replacement of old lead connections and the replacement and renovation of cast iron mains. Portugal reports a similar average distribution input per property to England and Wales but the range is much wider. Although the population per connection is similar between the two countries, the average household water delivered is higher in Portugal. This explains why some companies in Portugal have higher distribution inputs than their England and Wales counterparts. The low distribution inputs for some of the companies reflects the fact that the customers in these municipalities have access to their own sources of underground water. Scotland has a high distribution input per property. Although Scotland's population per connection and household water delivered is similar to England and Wales, the difference arises from the higher levels of leakage experienced in Scotland. Scottish Water is addressing this issue and aims to meet its economic level of leakage (ELL) by 2014. The ELL is the level at which it would cost more to make further reductions in leakage than to produce water from another source. Australia has a higher distribution input per property than England and Wales despite having universal metering. This shows that climatic, social and economic factors are important in determining water use. Australia has a high average household water delivered, reflecting the prevalence of swimming pools and air conditioning. Figure 8 compares the elements of household water use in the UK, Netherlands, Portugal and Australia. This shows that more water is used outdoors in Australia than in England and Wales. In recent years, water restrictions have been put in place because of the drought. This has helped reduce the distribution input in Australia below levels seen in Canada. Canada reports the highest average distribution input per property of the countries compared. This is partly because Canada has the highest population per connection figures. Some of the reasons for the higher distribution input in Australia may also apply to Canada. For example, some of the companies report higher demand for water during the summer because of residential outdoor use such as lawn watering and pool filling.  |
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Water balance |
Water balance - results for 2006-07
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