"To implement a program to reduce losses in a sustainable manner and with satisfactory results, it is required much study and analysis of water supply system, so the challenge is to make a good diagnosis to identify the locations and areas that contribute to higher loss, to direct the investments in a planned and precise way.
This case study was implemented in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is operated by Sao Paulo Water and Sanitation Company (SABESP), through the Central Business Unit (MC). One of its largest supply zones and with highest lost volumes is the Alpina Village supply zone, with 330 km of mains and 51,000 connections. After collecting the data and the characteristic of supply, the zone was split into 5 sub-zones and 24 district metered areas (DMAs), to prioritize actions to reduce losses, also using GIS (Geographic Information System)
Another key aspect to reduce losses was the staff involvement. To ensure the results and allow the execution of actions in a continuous way, it was created a loss team, with 8 professionals to make the intelligence work: study, planning and implementation of the activities.
With all these efforts, including actions to reduce real and apparent losses, the Alpina Village supply zone has been constantly reducing the losses indicators along the years. The process indicator for total water losses average reduced from 508 L/conn/day in 2007 to 336 L/conn/day in 2011, and the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) reduced from 9.5 in 2007 to 5.4 in 2009
This paper will focus on the lessons learned and results obtained, showing that a loss control program requires much study, planning, staff involvement and good management, using analysis tools such as water balance, GIS thematic maps and a zone division in DMAs."