The Kansas Rural Water Association provides targeted assistance to public water systems identified by the Kansas Water Office as having high unaccounted for (>30%) water loss. These systems are referred to as "Special Focus Projects." Check below for a brief report on the work by KRWA with the systems assigned to KRWA under the 2010 contract. Funding for this assistance is provided through the Clean Drinking Water Fee, and administered by the Kansas Water Office. This report is for the period January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010 and includes the most current information available in mid-April 2010.

See also Summary Report, Fiscal Year 09 for results from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

Cherokee RWD 4

Cherokee RWD 4 operator Fred Heistand reported locating and repairing 11 leaks in January and 13 leaks in February. In March the district located and repaired a leak that was detected in November 2009. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 27.2%, July - Sept 2009: 26.2%, Oct - Dec 2009: 34.3%, Jan - Feb 2010: 51.2%.

Cherokee RWD 7

Cherokee RWD 7 reports fixing two leaks this quarter. The system continues to be customer read. Any unpaid water bill go against water loss as well. Cherokee RWD 7 has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. Meters are not read to verify customer usage.

City of Abbyville

The City of Abbyville council member Brian Soellner stated the city is having problems with the person reading the meters. It has been discovered that approximately half of the meters were being estimated. This is evident when reviewing the monthly percentage of loss. Unaccounted for water loss as reported is: April - June 2009: 5.9%, July - Sept 2009: 9.1%, Oct - Dec 2009: 23.8%, Jan - Feb 2010: 9.8%. March information was not available. The City of Abbyville has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

City of Attica

City of Attica operator T.J. Rausch has replaced 25 customer meters including a 2-inch meter that was not registering. The city plans to replace an additional 20 customer meters within the next three months. The master meters have been tested for accuracy and are accurate. The transmission line from the wells to the distribution system has been tested for leaks. City personnel are checking the billing program to make sure the calculations are correct. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 42%, July - Sept 2009: 29.8%, Oct - Dec 2009: 37.1%, Jan 2010: 28%. February and March information was not available.

City of Augusta

It has been difficult for KRWA to work with Augusta to obtain water loss information. Each department has their own little area of concern and seems unconcerned about the whole water loss picture. Their is no one person in charge of managing the city's water loss and the information for the report. KRWA Tech Jon Steele has brought water loss issues to the attention of several city employees and stressed the importance of keeping up with the loss issues on a monthly basis. The city has not yet provided the updated information. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 58.9%, July - Sept 2009: 53.8%, Oct - Nov 2009: 38%. December 2009 - March 2010 information is not available. KRWA requests that the City of Augusta be removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. The city of Augusta has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

City of Barnes

City of Barnes estimated usage from October 25th to March 25th. Operator Delvin Oentrich and KRWA Tech Greg Metz worked together to install new well controls to help eliminate overflowing the tower. Delvin also reported repairing two leaks; he has also repaired one of the leaks that was detected on the system during the water loss survey conducted by KRWA. Greg Metz and Delvin will be trying to pinpoint and repair a leak that was detected on Second Avenue. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 31.5%, July - Sept 2009: 28.6%, Oct - Dec 2009: 35.6%, Jan - March 2010: 40.2%.

City of Bird City

The City of Bird City replaced three leaking check valves in the wells this quarter. Sargent Well Service has been scheduled to flow test the wells and test the master meters for accuracy in May. KRWA will conduct a water loss survey when Sargent Well Service has finished their flow and meter testing. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 53.2%, July - Sept 2009: 20.3%, Oct - Dec 2009 43.9%, Jan - March 2010: 43.9%.

City of De Soto

The City of DeSoto is in the process of securing funding for planned upgrades to its water treatment plant and to 24-inch mainline exiting the plant. The city has plans to test all well master meters in May 2010. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - Jun 2009: 39.6%, Jul - Sept 2009: 44.9%, Oct - Dec 2009: 53.4%, January 2010: 60.9%. February and March information is not available.

City of Delphos

City of Delphos operator Marvin Alderson repaired one of the four leaks detected during a recent water loss survey conducted by KRWA. Marvin also replaced one of the well meters that he thought might have been over-registering. KRWA is unable to test the well meters due to inoperable valves. The City does not want to replace the valves at this time because they are looking at a complete new system project. Karen Kiser, City Clerk, also reported the city finding a service that was thought to be off but had registered 300,000 gallons since the last reading. However, the city does not know when the last reading was. Unaccounted for water loss is: Aprilil - June 2009: 31.7%; July - Sept 2009: 30.5%, Oct - Dec 2009: 43.4%, Jan - March 2010: 37.5%.

City of Fort Scott

The City of Fort Scott has been able to reduce unaccounted for water loss over the past year by repairing leaking main lines and repairing or replacing leaking fire hydrants. The city will also be replacing its main raw water meter at the water plant and at the intake at the lake. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 13.2%, July - Sept 11.2%, Oct - Dec 2009: 10.9%, Jan - Feb 2010: 16%. March information was not available. KRWA requests that the City of Fort Scott be removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. Fort Scott has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. The city has maintained a water loss percentage less than 20% for two consecutive quarters.

City of Glade

The City of Glade repaired two leaks this quarter. The city will be installing new main lines and meters in 2010. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 52.1%, July - Sept 2009 36.1%, Oct - Dec 2009: 63.5%, Jan - March 2010: 59.4%. The City of Glade will have high water loss until the new construction is complete. KRWA requests that the City of Glade be removed from the list of quarterly monitoring. The city of Glade has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

City of Gove

The City of Gove has repaired two leaks this quarter. One leak was at the former State Rest Area, the corporation stop had corroded. Unaccounted for water loss is: Aprilil - June 2009: 1.9%, July - Sept 2009: 26.5%, Oct - Dec 2009: 53.5%, Jan - March 2010: 27%.

City of Haddam

The City of Haddam had a master meter at the well which was installed incorrectly. The meter has now been installed correctly and has been tested for accuracy by KRWA Tech Greg Metz. Greg also conducted a direct contact water loss survey with the meter reader in January and found six small leaks and several meters that were not registering at the time of the survey. City Clerk, Mary Elliot has ordered new meters to replace those that were not registering and then begin a meter change-out program. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 28.9%, July - Sept 2009: 41.4%, Oct - Dec 2009: 45%, Jan - March 2010: 27%.

City of Jennings

The city of Jennings still has a leak close to the Bank. KRWA has attempted to locate the leak with the correlator but has been unsuccessful. KRWA will conduct additional testing to locate the leak in May. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 39.9%, July - Sept 2009: 20.7%, Oct - Dec 2009: 36.7%, Jan - March 2010: 40.9%.

City of Mankato

The City of Mankato will repair or replace the mainline meters and a fire hydrant to allow KRWA to test the well meters for accuracy. The city has been replacing customer meters and will continue with a meter change-out program. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 40.4%, July - Sept 2009: 19.9%, Oct - Dec 2009: 20.5%, Jan - March 2010: 41.8%.

City of McDonald

The City of McDonald estimates customer meter readings during the winter months and then begins reading again in March. KRWA will conduct another water loss survey in May or June depending on the operator's schedule. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 50.4%, July - Sept 28%, Oct - Dec 2009 34.3%, Jan - March 2010: 25.2%.

City of Medicine Lodge

The City of Medicine Lodge has not yet provided the updated information as requested by KRWA. KRWA requests the city of Medicine Lodge be removed from quarterly monitoring for lack of participation. The city of Medicine Lodge has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

City of Mulberry

The City of Mulberry reported fixing two leaks this quarter and have additional leaks that are scheduled for repair. The city has also started a meter change-out program. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 26.9%, July - Sept 15.7%, Oct - Dec 2009: 27.1%, Jan - March 2010: 21.6%.

City of Nickerson

The city of Nickerson repaired one large leak on a service line in March. The Grade School meter is still not working; KRWA Tech Jon Steele has informed the city that this is a significant contributor to the unaccounted for water loss problem. The city has not made necessary modifications to allow testing of the master meters. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 41.5%, July - Sept 2009: 32.4%, Oct - Dec 2009: 27.2%, Jan - March 2010: 26.8%.

City of Simpson

The City of Simpson estimates water use during the winter months. Operator Brad Heidrick and KRWA Tech Greg Metz were unable to complete a water loss survey in the last quarter. Greg and Brad plan to conduct a water loss survey in May when meters are read. Unaccounted for water loss is Aprilil - June 2009: 59.1%, July - Sept 2009: 16.6%, Oct - Dec 2009 56.7%, Jan - March 2010: 43.8%.

City of Smith Center

The City of Smith Center has repaired five leaks in the first quarter of 2010. Operator Dale Pickel provided leak estimates in the metered free column. The well meters will be tested for accuracy has been scheduled for June. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 34.3%, July - Sept 2009: 31.8%, Oct - Dec 43.3%, Jan - March 2010 30.6%.

Cowley RWD 7

Cowley RWD 7 monthly pumping totals has increased in January and February. It is evident that there is a leak in the distribution system, but the district has not contacted KRWA for assistance. KRWA Tech, Jon Steele will contact Willard Martin and offer assistance with leak detection. Jon has counseled Mr. Martin on watching the pumping records in the past and will do so again. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 26.3%, July - Sept 2009: 15.5%, Oct - Dec 2009: 31.7%, Jan - Feb 2010: 69.8%. March information was not available.

Crawford RWD 5

Crawford 5 has replaced 75 percent of the customer meters this year. This is a self-read system and the district has not verified customer readings since 2002. Unaccounted for water loss as reported is: Aprililil - June 2009: 47.9%, July - Sept 2009: 44.5%, Oct - Dec 2009: 36.8%, Jan - March 2010: 60.4%. KRWA requests that Crawford RWD 5 be removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. Without verifying the customer readings there is no way to accurately know the true water loss. Crawford RWD 5 is not interested in the assistance by KRWA and is removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

Elk RWD 1

Elk RWD 1 operator, Larry Malone stated to KRWA's General Manager Elmer Ronnebaum and Greg Duryea that he works to control water loss. The district has four area meters that Larry compares the water sold to. Each of these sections has approximately 100 miles of line after the area meter. Comparing the water sold in each area allows the district to concentrate on the section that has the highest water loss. The district will check that portion of the district until the loss is reduced. Larry stated that large leaks are easy to find on their system. However, most leaks they have found recently have been small leaks and take time to locate. Isolating the distribution system shows very little usage. Searching for one or two gallon per minute leak in 100 miles of main line is difficult. Larry stated that he would contact KRWA if he gets to the point of needing assistance. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 26.6%, July - Sept 2009: 20.2%, Oct - Dec 2009: 35.4%, Jan - Mar 2010: 39.6%. KRWA requests that Elk RWD 1 be removed from the list for quarterly monitoring. Elk RWD 1 has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

Harper RWD 4

Harper RWD 4 repaired two leaks in December. The master meter has been tested and was accurate. Several valves have been located, cleaned out or replaced. Three water loss surveys by KRWA Tech Jon Steele revealed approximately 8 gpm in pipeline leakage. Unaccounted for water loss is: Apr - June 2009: 67.8%, July - Sept 2009: 29.9%, Oct - Dec 2009: 29.2%, Jan - Mar 2010: 62.9%.

Jefferson RWD 2

Jefferson RWD 2 bookkeeper, Cindy Thompson reported the district located and repaired a significant leak in January. Additional water loss survey will be conducted as soon as it can be scheduled. Unaccounted for water loss is: Apr - June 2009: 36.7%, July - Sept 2009: 25.1%, Oct - Dec 2009: 33.6%, Jan - Mar 2010: 45%

Jefferson RWD 3

Jefferson RWD 3 continues to find and repair leaks within the district. Operator Vincent Petesch repaired 10 leaks this quarter in the district. Two leaks were on 2-inch pvc line, five leaks were on 4-inch pvc line, two leaks were on 6-inch pvc mainlines and one leak on a 3-inch pvc line. Vincent also replaced four meters that had frozen and were leaking water. KRWA Tech Gary Armentrout has offered to assist the district many times this quarter in locating leaks but the offers have not been accepted. The district's board is still reviewing funding options for line replacement projects. Unaccounted for water loss is: Apr - Jun 2009: 21%, Jul - Sept 2009: 25.2%, Oct - Dec 2009: 18.6%, Jan - Mar 2010: 36.3%. Jefferson RWD 3 has been removed from the list for quarterly monitoring.

Montgomery RWD 8

Montgomery RWD 8 reports no leaks located this quarter. KRWA will continue to offer assistance to the district. Unaccounted for water loss is: Apr - June 2009: 21.6%, July - Sept 2009: 52.1%, Oct - Dec 2009: 37%, Jan - March 2010: 19.2%.

Pottawatomie RWD 2

Pottawatomie RWD 2 Operator Lynn Webster reported repairing several leaks in recent months. The leak on the line west and south of Olsburg has been repaired; it has not been possible to yet repair the leak on the service in Oak Canyon. Lynn has also been unable to locate leaks on the line west of Westmoreland. Lynn and KRWA Tech Greg Metz have discussed rechecking the line and conducting a water loss survey on other parts of the system. Water loss is as follows: April - June 09 = 33.7%, July - Sept. 09 = 24%, Oct - Dec 09 = 26.6%, Jan - Feb 10 = 48.4%, March information was unavailable.

Republic RWD 1

Republic RWD 1 operator James Haskins reported repairing several leaks this quarter. James is also going to be verifying meter reading in April as well as trying to finish the water loss survey on the rest of the system with KRWA Tech Greg Metz in April or May. A leak in the meter pit at Courtland has not yet been repaired; the work will require some modifications. Water loss is as follows: April - June 09 = 42.7, July - Sept. 09 = 38%, Oct. - Dec 09 = 42.7%, Jan - March 10 = 39.9%.

Republic RWD 2

Republic RWD 2 operators Ed and Charles reported fixing several leaks over the winter months. KRWA Tech Greg Metz and Ed intend to review meters for possible inaccuracies. Greg Metz, Ed and Charlie plan on doing some water loss surveys on the system in April or May. The district did not verify meter readings in late 2009; the intent is to verify meter readings in April on this self-read system. Water loss is as follows: April - June 09 = 21.6%, July - Sept 09 .= 36.4%, Oct - Dec 09 = 42.7%, Jan - Feb 10 = 59.9% March information was unavailable at the time of the preparation of this report.

Sumner RWD 1

Sumner RWD 1 district personnel believe their is no actual leakage after looking for leakage several times. They believe they have a problem with the city's master meter. The city is witholding the new billings until the meter issue is resolved. KRWA Tech Jon Steele has offered to test the meter for accuracy. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 32.3%, July - Sept 2009: 26.2%, Oct - Dec 2009: 26.8%, January 56.9%. February and March information is not available.

Sumner RWD 4

Sumner RWD 4 operator repaired five leaks in January and February 2010. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 39.6%, July - Sept 2009: 24.5%, Oct - Dec 2009: 21.4%, Jan - Mar 2010: 43.4%. March results were not available.

Wilson RWD 5

Wilson RWD 5 has been reading the customer meters monthly. This allows the district to more accurately calculate the monthly water loss. Unaccounted for water loss is: April - June 2009: 33.1%, July - Sept 32.6%, Oct - Dec 2009: 24%, Jan - March 2010: 10.4%.