DEMAND MANAGEMENT Customer Metering – the Samoa Experience

Apia Urban Supply1995 – 2002

SAMOA ISLANDS Volcanic – 2 main islands Rainfall 2100-7000mm

(wet period) Population – 175,000

(2001 Census)

SAMOA WATER AUTHORITY Corporatized 1994

Move towards financial independence Water Supply – 82% popn (17000

customers) Treatment Plants – 3 Raw Water systems Boreholes

O & M Expenditure $7 m/yr

Community schemes – approx 15% No water supply – less than 5% popn. ISP, EU projects

Scope of Case Study Apia Urban Area 1995 – limited metering 1999 – A.W.S.C.P

Full scale metering program About 4000 meters

Background - APIA URBAN AREA Pop = approx 38,000 Incomes = $2400 - $80,000 / annum Central Business District Excessive demands

Approx – 900 l/c/d (pre-metering 1999) Water is free, from God, plentiful

Treated and Raw supply (80% mixed in 1999) Low pressures, demand exceed production treated Inaccurate maps

DEMAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES No Formal Demand Management Strategy Metering and Tariff

Treated supply Progressive $0.12/m3/d - $1.40/m3/d

Leak Detection Improving Operation & Maintenance

HOW TO METER APIA ?

Isolate areas to be supplied by treated water Network modifications – valves, re-route pipes

Meter target area Extend area – when demand reduction allows Continue until 100% coverage

METERING PROCESS Step 1 – Isolate Target Area

Treated and sufficient quantity

Step 2 – Awareness & Acceptance

Media campaign Village groups consultations Matai consultation (advisory

committee) Disconnect supply

Step 3 – Installation & Billing Pre-fabrication at workshop 3 month grace period

Monthly reading Counselling & assistance

RESULTS & LESSONS LEARNT Reduction of Demand

Approx 350l/c/d (2002) Extend Treated water coverage to 80% Community Awareness of metering Consultation using traditional hierarchy (matai) Above-ground meters

FURTHER ACTIONS Demand Management Strategy

UFW – theft, illegal connections System Performance – data Asset Mgt Strategy

O&M improvements Leak Detection Disaster (Drought) mgt Mapping

New Tariff Structure (proposal) O&M simple cost recovery 2 bands rather than logarithmic 5 year + review ‘free’ portion – 0.5m3/d

Billing Process Time and labour intensive

Review of Progress Customer survey Metering records - consumption Extension of treated water supply

CHALLENGES IN DEMAND MANAGEMENT FOR SWA

Influx of 3500 initially (total 6000) meters – EURWSP Doubling of system assets – EURWSP New Computerised Asset Management System Successful implementation of new Tariff Structure

(awaiting Cabinet approval) and impact on consumption

Translating results of progress review into actions for improvement

Limited local Technical expertise (only 5 engineers in SWA)

Thank you