Water Loss Audits and Reporting

Sonny Perdue signing the GWSA On June 2, 2010 Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Georgia Water Stewardship Act (GWSA) of 2010 (SB 370/HB 1094).

This Act is a landmark, multifaceted approach to water conservation and requires specific action by water providers serving over 3,300 in population. Approximately 250 water providers are affected by this Act.

Section 3 of the GWSA amends O.C.G.A 12-5-4 and requires the following:

Water systems serving over 3,300 in population must conduct an annual water system audit.
Water systems serving over 3,300 in population must implement a water loss detection program.
GA DNR will develop minimum guidelines, which will require public water systems to conduct standardized annual water loss audits according to the International Water Association (IWA) method/standard and to submit those audits to the Division (GA EPD).

Methodology for Water Loss Audits

The GWSA requires over 250 water system providers to conduct annual water audits according to the International Water Association methods, following best practices adopted by the State Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD). The GA Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) has developed a Georgia Water Loss Control Manual (GA Manual) to define and describe the best practices specifically for Georgia water systems.

The GA Manual has been built around the same themes as the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Free Water Audit Software ©, (version 4.2) and will assist water providers in utilizing this required software. This manual is available for electronic download at the bottom of this page.

GA EPD strongly urges the affected water system to obtain and become well acquainted with the AWWA M36 Manual and the AWWA Free Water Audit Software ©, version 4.2: http://tinyurl.com/auditsoftware. This software is the REQUIRED methodology for performing an acceptable water audit and it follows the IWA methodology/standard.

Preliminary Considerations, Timeline, and Feedback

The EPD/GAWP Technical Small Group that developed the GA Manual would like your feedback as you review and utilize the AWWA/IWA methods and AWWA software. Submit suggestions to Bryan Wagoner at bwagoner@gawp.org.

For public water systems serving greater than 10,000 individuals (population served) GWSA requires audits be submitted to EPD by March 1st, 2012. Initial water audits must cover the time period between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 (the 2011 calendar year). For those water systems that may need an extension in submitting their reports due to technical limitations (such as two-month billing cycles, etc.), EPD will address the situation on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unsure which category your water system is classified, please contact: Lebone T. Moeti, GA Drinking Water Program, (404) 463-1762 Lebone.Moeti@dnr.state.ga.us.
For public water systems serving greater than 3,300 individuals (population served) and up to 10,000 individuals (population served) GWSA requires audits be submitted to GA EPD by March 2013. Initial water audits must cover the time period between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 (the 2012 calendar year). Systems must submit the final results of this water audit to GA EPD no later than March 1st 2013. For those few water systems that may need an extension in submitting their reports due to technical limitations (such as two-month billing cycles, etc.), EPD will address the situation on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unsure which category your water system is classified, please contact: Lebone T. Moeti, GA Drinking Water Program, (404) 463-1762 Lebone.Moeti@dnr.state.ga.us.
Documents likely to be submitted to EPD include the following:
- AWWA Free Water Audit Software©: Reporting Worksheet
- AWWA Free Water Audit Software©: Water Balance
- All Excel files associated with your workbook to include the "Informational Instruction Sheet"

Note: In the future, water withdrawal permits, water plant production increases, and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds/Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (DWSRF/GEFA) loans may take into consideration water audit results and the development and implementation of water loss abatement programs.
The GWSA of 2010 requires EPD to post all submitted audits on the Internet. Therefore, electronic submissions are required from all affected water systems (see notation #3 above). Following the dates in the statute, submissions should be emailed to EPD following instructions specified in the GA Manual.

Technical Support and Resources

Updated information and preliminary resources on this new program will be available online at this web location and on GA EPD's website at www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net. Programmatic updates to include changes to the GA Water Loss Control Manual, tentative technical workshop dates, official rules and rule-making processes/schedule, and additional water auditing resources will be found here. As more material and resources are developed and made available, they will be posted at both online locations.

The Georgia Association of Water Professionals are currently hosting five classroom workshops in support of the Georgia Water Loss Manual. Water providers have received correspondence providing details on these workshops. Registration details are available at www.gawp.org.

Presentations From Water Loss Auditing Workshop

Georgia Water Loss Control Manual

The following GA Water Audit and Loss Control Manual (Ver 1.0) is provided as a "best practices reference" for water providers affected by the GWSA. Each water provider will be provided a printed copy of this manual in the Fall of 2011.
Download here: Georgia Water Loss Control Manual (ver 1.0)