Improvement of the environmental performance resulting from the innovative measure
Active Failure Detection and Dynamic Pressure Regulation in the exploited water supply network allowed PWiK to achieve a number of results listed below. A thorough examination of the dependencies between the variable parameter of pressure to flow ratio and pipe failure ratio will allow for designing similar systems in the future. The current results in terms of technological and economic effects are encouraging to allocate more investment resources (financial) for this type of activities. This applies primarily to ‘difficult’ water supply systems, e.g. ones bearing significant hydraulic losses, where the typical pressure reduction based on PRV valves cannot give sufficient results. As regards Active Leak Detection, the success of this approach is underlined by the fact that the average leak duration before becoming visible at the surface is approximately 100 days. In 2013 alone, as a result of the project, over908 kmof the water pipes were inspected and 543 leaks were detected. Out of these, 101 were leakages invisible at the surface , which are also the most valuable in terms of shortening the failure duration time. Using the aforementioned tools, PWiK can successfully reduce this time, thus reducing the water losses, and achieving economically and environmentally justified levels of leakages for any given zones of the water supply network.
scope | network length (m) | number of leaks detected | leak type | leak location | ||||
reported | unreported | main and distribution network | connection network | valves | ||||
visible | invisible | |||||||
Częstochowa + Kłobuck + Olsztyn | 908,259 | 543 | 391 | 51 | 101 | 200 | 243 | 100 |
The execution of this project is a combined activity aimed at a research work to achieve significant results in the study area in a short time. . It's economic significance is expected to bring multi-tiered benefits related to effective pressure management in the water supply network, as listed below:
Each of the above effects brings specific financial profits.
The execution of the project has also been reflected in the Environmental Statements, in the section on Key Environmental Performance Indicators – the indicator “WATER CONSUMPTION” (see the Environmental Statement, p. 42). Presented below is this indicator calculated for 2013.
The indicator will be validated during this year’s audit scheduled to take place in May. The significant reduction of this indicator is not dependent not only on the eco-innovation in question. PWiK is also conducting several other commonly acknowledged actions, e.g. water pipes rerouting (exchange), minimizing apparent water losses. Within 2011-2013 PWiK spent PLN 15 millions for water pipes rerouting alone.
Below data are presented on water losses: chart 3 – as a percentage of water extracted , and chart 4 – as the amount of water lost per 1 kmof the exploited water pipe network. Both charts also provide the average values for large waterworks companies, as published by the Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce. The data (apart from data for 2013) are also included in the current edition of the Environmental Statement, at p. 27.
In light of the fact that the level of leaks is a consequence of the pressure maintained in the network, and not the water distribution (consumption), the Company is of the opinion that the more relevant indicator is the water losses calculated as cubic meters per one kilometer of the exploited network. , rather than as the percentage of water extracted (pumped). This is of particular importance if, as is the case, the water sales are going down year over year. A result of this is the continuous, systematic decrease of water losses in absolute terms, as well as the values presented in the tables (pp. 41-42) presenting the main environmental performance indicator – water consumption.
Chart 3. Water losses in water supply network operated by PWiK in 2006-2013 (as % of extracted water) compared to the average values for large waterworks in Poland
Chart 4. Water losses in water supply network operated by PWiK in 2006-2013 (per 1 km of the exploited water pipe network) compared to the average values for large waterworks in Poland
Head office: (34) 3655448, (34) 3773199
Secretariat: (34) 3773101
Fax: (34) 3651582
The Stand-by service: 994
E-mail: poczta@pwik.czest.pl
www.pwik.czest.pl
Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Okręgu Częstochowskiego S.A. w Częstochowie
42-202 Częstochowa, ul. Jaskrowska 14/20
Sąd rejestrowy: Sąd Rejonowy w Częstochowie Wydział Gospodarczy Krajowego Rejestru Sądowego - Nr KRS 0000057953
Kraj: Polska; województwo: Śląskie; powiat: Częstochowa, gmina: Częstochowa, miejscowość: Częstochowa
NIP: PL 5730003841, REGON: 150354701
Wysokość kapitału zakładowego: 101.074.600,00zł., pokryty w całości.
e-mail: poczta@pwik.czest.pl