Investigation of water losses and loss prevention methods: The case of Kahramanmaraş province

In recent years, due to climate change, environmental factors, socio-economic and cultural changes, developments in technology and industry, zoning and agricultural policies, and other factors affecting water resources and water consumption, consumption is increasing while water supply is decreasing. This situation further increases the importance of water loss management and various strategies and methods are developed to prevent water loss. In this study, the drinking and domestic water systems needed in urban areas where people live densely were evaluated in terms of water losses. In a drinking water supply system, the water supply from the water source to the main distribution tanks is provided by transmission lines, and the water supply from the tanks to the consumers is provided by distribution systems. This system includes pipelines, water tanks, service lines, water meters, articulation components and armatures, engineering structures and units. In these facilities, leaks, bursts and cracks and overflows occur over time due to aging, corrosion, wrong material selection or improper workmanship. The losses caused by these deformations on the system are called physical losses. Executive losses occur due to reasons such as unauthorized (illegal) consumption, wrong meter measurements, meter reading and data processing errors. These losses cause inefficient use of resources, increase in energy consumption and decrease in incomes. With this study, what are the water losses and methods of preventing them were investigated. Within the scope of the study, Elbistan District Center in Kahramanmaraş City was selected as a pilot region and the applications in the worksite were carried out by General Directorate of Kahramanmaraş Water and Sewerage Administration (KASKİ) teams. For Elbistan District Center, water balance and infrastructure leakage index were prepared and analyzes of water balance components were made. With the water balance analysis, the water losses in Elbistan District Center was calculated as 66.97% and Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) as 14.31. By creating two subregions DMA of Elbistan District Center, the system was analyzed in smaller areas and the non-revenue water rates were calculated as 76.49% and 71.79%. In addition, component analyzes of executive losses were researched and related determinations and recommendations were made. Considering these results, water administration was encouraged to renew the drinking water distribution system and make it traceable and measurable. Keywords: Drinking water distribution system, Water losses, Water balance, Isolated measurable subregion, Non-revenue water