Data Validity

Why is accurate water use data important?

How does accurate data benefit my water system?

Why might my water use data be inaccurate?

Why is accurate water use data important?

Collecting and reporting accurate water use data is not only a state requirement (see our WUE Rule Background Information Page), but can also provide you with valuable information about your water system. Evaluating usage data ensures that it is operating optimally and allows you to focus on providing safe and reliable drinking water to your customers at the best possible value. This webpage hosts resources to help you understand the value in running an efficient water system, the benefits of accurate reporting, and training materials to ensure you're getting the most out of your water meter readings.

How does accurate data benefit my water system?

Water systems that suffer from persistent leakage or unauthorized consumption are not financially sustainable. Accurately reading, collecting, and reporting water meter data allows you to recapture lost revenue. With better data, you can take strategic steps to remedy the cause of high water loss, which can save your water system money by lowering operating costs.

Why might my water use data be inaccurate?

There is a good chance your water use date might be inaccurate if you're reporting:

  • Negative water loss.
  • Zero water loss.
  • Less than two percent water loss.
  • More than 50 percent water loss.

This could be caused by:

Inaccurate meters or incorrectly installed meters.

  • Incorrect meter readings or software errors.
  • An incorrect understanding of terminology and what constitutes authorized consumption.

Resources

Free Water Audit Software

Reporting Accurate Water Use Data Questions and Answers (PDF)

WUE Data Collection Tool