Flow Measurement - An Objective Tool for Inspection of Water Distribution Systems - Jochen Steigert

The availability of drinking water in Germany is one of the basic needs of its population. Beyond this, it is also necessary to provide water for other purposes. This demands a sophisticated logistical system. Drinking water quality must be kept consistently high on its journey from source, through treatment, to consumer. An intact transport network is an important factor in the security of the supply. In Germany, water is transported by a water distribution network comprising around 500,000 km of underground pipes. These must be operated without leakage.

The supply of drinking water is regulated by law. As such, the water supply companies carry a special responsibility in fulfilling the requirements of the legislation. This legislation governs not only the construction of the public water supply network, but also the operation, maintenance and repair of its associated systems. Specifically, supply companies must comply with the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) and the regulations for general engineering standard practice as specified by DVGW (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water).

In certain federal states, the requirement to handle drinking water economically is laid down in the Federal State Water Supply Laws. In these states, the water supplier is obliged by law to consistently minimise the volume of their primary asset, water that is lost.

This requirement is also reflected in the DVGW rules for general engineering standard practice. These rules describe various measures for the inspection of the drinking water pipe network as the basis of a safe, secure and economical pipe network operation. Measures are also described for avoidance of harm to people or damage to property. Ecological reasons also form part of the basis for the measures described.