The Impact of Urban Water LossA survey of global expert opinion

October 2008

2

The research approach

• What: 100 structured telephone interviews

• Who: Interviews carried out with IWA membership working in/for the water industry across both the developed and

developing world:

- Consultancy33

- University24

- Research Institute25

- Other18

• When: Fieldwork carried out in August 2008

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Scale of water loss condemned as unacceptable…but no surprise for many

The world loses around 1/3 of its drinking water each year, equivalent to 32billion m3 and valued at approximately $18 billion. In visual terms this is

equivalent to 36,00 Olympic swimming pools every day

I am aware of this…63%

I was unaware of

this…37%

“…and I find it concerning”: 93%

“…and I find it unacceptable”: 78%

“…and I find it shocking”: 58%

Q: Are you aware of these figures? And do you find these figures…?

Base: All respondents (100)

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Key negative consequence of water loss is inability of water utilities to provide safe, clean water…

5%

8%

20%

14%

53%

The provision of safe, clean water for the world’s urban

population

Saving money

Saving energy

Reducing contamination

Decreasing chemical usage

Q: Which of the following do you consider to be the biggest issue when considering urbanwater loss? Is it…?

Base: All respondents (100)

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…and most experts feel water loss could reach crisis point in the next 15 years

“Reducing urban water loss can significantly save energy”: 94%

“There is an environmental obligation to address water loss”: 92%

“Reducing water loss is vital to supply more people with fresh water”: 87%

“We are likely to face crisis if water loss is not resolved in the next 15 years”: 67%

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Base: All respondents (100)

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Overcoming investment and funding barriers key to stemming water loss

41%

50%

54%

71%

75%

78%

46%

68%

Lack of awareness

Lack of funding

Other concerns and priorities

Lack of easy-to-work with solutions providers

Reluctance to invest based on concern over revenue returns

Urban water management solutions are underground and less exciting

Lack of interest

30%

4%

4%

16%

8%

13%

14%

7%

Main barrier

Lack of comprehensive co-ordination

43%

Base: All respondents (100)

Q: What do you think are the barriers to resolving water loss issues? And which of these is the main barrier to resolving water loss?

7

Most experts expect utilities to be held financially accountable in next decade…

No33%

Yes67%

16%

51%

16%

16%

In the next…

5 years

10 years

15 years

Beyond this

67%

Do you see a time when the water industry will be held accountable for water loss and expected to compensate for this?

Base: All respondents (100); All respondents answering ‘yes’ (67)

Q: Do you foresee a time when the water industry will be held accountable for water loss andexpected to compensate for this? When do you think this is likely to happen?

8

…but many feel the industry still doesn’t understand true extent of the problem

No42%

Yes58%

Base: All respondents (100)

Do you consider that the water industry as a whole has a clear understanding of the extent of the problem of urban water loss?

Q: Do you consider that the water industry as a whole has a clear understanding of the extent of the problem of urban water loss?

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Reducing water loss best and most cost effective solution to increasing supply

10%

24%

28%

4%

34%

Management of water demand

Desalinisation

Reduction of water loss

Water re-use

Don’t know

Best solution…

14%

33%

14%

39%

Most cost effective solution…

Base: All respondents (100)

Q: Thinking of the different solutions to increase water supply, which do you think is the best solution? And which is the most cost effective?

10

A comprehensive approach is required to reduce water loss

3%

9%

4%

84%

A comprehensive solution covering all aspects

Controlling water pressure in the system

Leakage detection and repair

Don’t know

Base: All respondents (100)

Q: If you were tasked with tackling urban water loss, what do you think would be the best way of doing this?

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Appendix

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Membership type

5%

6%

25%

24%

33%

Research Institute

University

Consultancy

Utility

Technology Supplier

Industrial Water User - 3%

Regulator - 2%Other - 2%

Base: All respondents (100)

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Geographical distribution of interviews

Developing Developed

13%

28%

13%

20%11%

6%

9%US/Canada

UKOther

Europe

Scandinavia

Asia

Africa

S. America

Belgium, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal

Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

India, Jordan

Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda

Argentina, Mexico

Base: All respondents (100)

For further information please contact:

Peter Fecko, Mmd: T. 00421 905 213 136, email: peter.fecko@mmdcee.com