5.1 INTRODUCTION

Not all water systems will have all of the data needed for a full audit, but it is better to make estimations and perform an audit than not to do one at all.

To undertake any water system audit and properly identify where losses are occurring and the magnitude of the loss it is necessary to collect data that is accurate, organized, and accountable. In Chap. 6 we discuss various equipment and methodologies for capturing data for flows and pressures accurately, using both portable and permanent field equipment. However, once we have captured the data, it is important to organize and store the data in a meaningful manner, so that we can be accountable for the subsequent decisions we will inevitably make.

In many cases good, accurate data may not be available, and the operator has to make a decision as to whether to use questionable data or estimations. In many cases it is better to do something rather than stop and do nothing. In this case one should be sure to note that the data were questionable or estimated, and the operator s assessment of what should be done to improve this in future audits and how the data should be used this time.

The following section discusses good data management techniques.

5.2 DATA COLLECTION WORKSHEET

One of the first things to do before starting to download field loggers and recorders is decide on the key factors that will be analyzed and assign relevant...