Assessment of Non-Revenue Water and Infrastructure Leakage Index (Ili) Applicability: A Comparative Study In Ethiopian Towns - Adama, Bishoftu, And Mojo
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Date
2024-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Water utilities in Adama, Bishoftu, and Mojo towns are experiencing significant water losses in
their supply systems. To improve their efficiency, utilities need to be able to measure and assess
the performance of their water supply systems. One frequently used performance indicator (PI) is
the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI). However, the applicability of ILI performance indicators
in the water utilities of these towns depends on their current conditions. This study aims to check
the suitability of using the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) in Adama, Bishoftu, and Mojo towns
in Ethiopia. The primary and secondary data were collected to analyze the water balance and
evaluate ILI. Secondary data included system input volume, authorized consumption, and
unauthorized consumption, while primary data included water meter inaccuracies, customer water
meter inventory, and measurement of pressure in the water supply system for the calibration of
Water Gems Connect Edition update 2. The analysis revealed that the non-revenue water (NRW)
is high, reaching up to 32.6%, 38.33%, and 47.33%, respectively, as a percentage of system input
volume. Additionally, the total water loss for Adama, Bishoftu, and Mojo is 32%, 37.3%, and 45%,
respectively, as percentage of system input volume. Of the total water loss in each town, 80.8%,
81%, and 88.33% are real losses, while the remainder is apparent losses. The study also indicates
that the ILI result of the town water supply system is excellent, with values of 3.7, 4.4, and 3.3 for
Adama, Bishoftu, and Mojo, respectively. However, this result contrasts with the current water
loss and NRW, indicating that the ILI does not fully capture the specific challenges faced by
Ethiopian towns, such as poor asset management and supply intermittency. Therefore, it is
necessary to check the applicability of using ILI in Ethiopia before using it as a system
performance indicator.
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Keywords
Ethiopia, Infrastructure leakage index, non-revenue water, Performance indicator, Water loss.