Survey of Community Water Utilities
United States Government Accountability Office
Contents
- Introduction
- Section 1 - Technologies for Water Distribution Efficiency
- Section 2 - Use of Non-Traditional Water Sources
- Section 3 - System Characteristics
Introduction
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an agency of the U.S. Congress, is conducting an assessment of technologies that could help community water systems address freshwater scarcity.
As part of this review, we are conducting a web-based survey of community water systems across the United States. In this survey, we will be asking about your use of two categories of technologies:
(1) those that your utility might use to increase the efficiency of your distribution system and (2) those that your utility might use if you treat nontraditional source waters such as seawater,
brackish water, recycled municipal wastewater, or storm water captured from developed areas.
We understand that there may be questions on this survey that do not apply to your particular utility; the survey is designed to allow you to easily bypass those sections. In answering the survey
questions, please feel free to consult with any staff member in your utility who possesses relevant information.
Your participation in our study is essential for us to inform the Congress about levels of use for various technologies and challenges that utilities may face when trying to adopt these technologies.
The results of this survey will be summarized in a GAO report, which will be publicly available on our website.
If you have any questions about this survey, please contact [contact information omitted] to learn
more about completing the survey, printing your responses, and whom to contact if you have questions.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in taking part in our survey.
Section 1 - Technologies for Water Distribution Efficiency
1. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently meter water flow at any of the following points in your distribution system?
(If your utility has no treatment facilities, please check NO for a. and b. Please do not count booster stations as treatment facilities.)
a. One or more treatment plant intakes
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 56.2 | 51.2 -- 61.2 |
| No | 43.8 | 38.8 -- 48.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. One or more treatment plant outputs
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 66.1 | 61.4 -- 70.9 |
| No | 33.9 | 29.1 -- 38.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. One or more intermediate points in the distribution system
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 50.7 | 45.7 -- 55.7 |
| No | 49.3 | 44.3 -- 54.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. One or more customer connections
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 99.4 | 98.1 -- 99.9 |
| No | 0.6 | 0.1 -- 1.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
2. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently use any of the following technologies to meter water flow at customer connections?
(If you use the following meter types for any of your customer connections, please check yes.)
a. Manually-read meters
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 73.2 | 68.7 -- 77.7 |
| No | 26.8 | 22.3 -- 31.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 75.5 | 71.1 -- 79.8 |
| No | 24.5 | 20.2 -- 28.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 15.7 | 12.3 -- 19.2 |
| No | 84.3 | 80.8 -- 87.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
3. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently use water flow meter readings for any of the following purposes?
a. To calculate customers' water bills
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 95.9 | 93.3 -- 97.6 |
| No | 4.1 | 2.4 -- 6.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. To ensure water delivery to customers
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 73.9 | 69.5 -- 78.3 |
| No | 26.1 | 21.7 -- 30.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. To identify points of water loss
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 70.7 | 66.2 -- 75.2 |
| No | 29.3 | 24.8 -- 33.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. To provide customers with comparative use data
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 67.1 | 62.4 -- 71.8 |
| No | 32.9 | 28.2 -- 37.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
4. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently measure water pressure at any of the following points in your distribution system?
(Note: If your utility has no treatment facilities, please check NO for a. Please do not count booster stations as treatment facilities.)
a. One or more treatment facility outputs
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 71.5 | 67.0 -- 75.9 |
| No | 28.5 | 24.1 -- 33.0 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. One or more intermediate points in the distribution system
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 72.2 | 67.6 -- 76.8 |
| No | 27.8 | 23.2 -- 32.4 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. One or more storage tanks
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 83.4 | 79.7 -- 87.0 |
| No | 16.6 | 13.0 -- 20.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
5. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently use any of the following technologies to measure or control water pressure in your
distribution system?
a. In-line pressure sensors
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 43.4 | 38.5 -- 48.3 |
| No | 56.6 | 51.7 -- 61.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Pressure-reducing valves
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 61.2 | 56.2 -- 66.1 |
| No | 38.8 | 33.9 -- 43.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 73.7 | 69.2 -- 78.3 |
| No | 26.3 | 21.7 -- 30.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
6. Does your utility, or do contractors working for your utility, currently use measurements of water pressure for any of the following purposes?
a. To ensure water delivery to customers
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 76.2 | 71.8 -- 80.5 |
| No | 23.8 | 19.5 -- 28.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. To identify points of water loss
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 49.3 | 44.3 -- 54.3 |
| No | 50.7 | 45.7 -- 55.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. To compare to hydraulic modeling results
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 48.4 | 43.4 -- 53.3 |
| No | 51.6 | 46.7 -- 56.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. To minimize stress on distribution pipes
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 52.3 | 47.2 -- 57.3 |
| No | 47.7 | 42.7 -- 52.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
7. Has your utility, or have contractors working for your utility, ever used any of the following technologies to detect leaks in your distribution system?
(Note: This includes your Rural Water Association or other technical assistance providers.)
a. Geophone or ground microphone
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 71.9 | 67.4 -- 76.4 |
| No | 28.1 | 23.6 -- 32.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Acoustic noise logger
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 35.9 | 31.2 -- 40.7 |
| No | 64.1 | 59.3 -- 68.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Acoustic noise correlator
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 39.6 | 34.8 -- 44.4 |
| No | 60.4 | 55.6 -- 65.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. Acoustic fiber optic
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 1.1 | 0.4 -- 2.7 |
| No | 98.9 | 97.3 -- 99.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
e. Ground penetrating radar
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 13.5 | 10.3 -- 17.2 |
| No | 86.5 | 82.8 -- 89.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
f. In-line hydrophone
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 6.6 | 4.4 -- 9.5 |
| No | 93.4 | 90.5 -- 95.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
g. Acoustic transient detection
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 15.2 | 11.7 -- 19.2 |
| No | 84.8 | 80.8 -- 88.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
h. Pressure transient detection
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 10.6 | 7.7 -- 14.1 |
| No | 89.4 | 85.9 -- 92.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
8. In what situations has your utility, or have contractors working for your utility, ever used leak detection technology?
a. When we noticed signs of leaking water
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 79.1 | 75.0 -- 83.2 |
| No | 20.9 | 16.8 -- 25.0 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. When we detected a drop in water pressure or water flow
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 54.9 | 49.9 -- 59.9 |
| No | 45.1 | 40.1 -- 50.1 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. When we received customer complaints
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 60.1 | 55.1 -- 65.0 |
| No | 39.9 | 35.0 -- 44.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. When we scheduled a segment of the distribution system for routine leak detection
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 47.0 | 42.0 -- 52.0 |
| No | 53.0 | 48.0 -- 58.0 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
9. Has your utility, or have contractors working for your utility, ever used any of the following technologies to assess the condition of your
utility's distribution pipes?
(Note: This includes your Rural Water Association or other technical assistance providers.)
a. Closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 14.8 | 11.5 -- 18.6 |
| No | 85.2 | 81.4 -- 88.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Acoustic emission to measure pipe wall thickness
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 5.1 | 3.4 -- 7.4 |
| No | 94.9 | 92.6 -- 96.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Propagation velocity to measure pipe wall thickness
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 2.1 | 1.1 -- 3.6 |
| No | 97.9 | 96.4 -- 98.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. Broadband electromagnetic
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 0.8 | 0.4 -- 1.5 |
| No | 99.2 | 98.5 -- 99.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
e. Magnetic flux leakage
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 0.6 | 0.2 -- 1.4 |
| No | 99.4 | 98.6 -- 99.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
f. Remote field or remote field eddy current
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 3.2 | 1.7 -- 5.6 |
| No | 96.8 | 94.4 -- 98.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
g. Soil linear polarization resistance
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 1.5 | 0.7 -- 2.7 |
| No | 98.5 | 97.3 -- 99.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
h. Ultrasonics (discrete, guided or phased array)
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 6.8 | 4.3 -- 9.9 |
| No | 93.2 | 90.1 -- 95.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
10. In what situations has your utility, or have contractors working for your utility, ever assessed the condition of distribution pipes?
a. When we had physical access to pipes
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 95.4 | 92.8 -- 97.3 |
| No | 4.6 | 2.7 -- 7.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. When we detected a drop in water pressure or water flow
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 45.7 | 40.7 -- 50.7 |
| No | 54.3 | 49.3 -- 59.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. When we received customer complaints
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 59.7 | 54.8 -- 64.7 |
| No | 40.3 | 35.3 -- 45.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
d. When we scheduled a segment of the distribution system for routine pipe condition assessment
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 31.0 | 26.5 -- 35.6 |
| No | 69.0 | 64.4 -- 73.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
Section 2 - Use of Non-Traditional Water Sources
11. Does your utility have one or more treatment facilities?
(Note: Please do not count booster stations as treatment facilities.)
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 79.7 | 75.7 -- 83.6 |
| No, we purchase 100% of our water in treated form | 20.3 | 16.4 -- 24.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
12. Does your utility treat seawater for potable use?
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 1 |
| No | 672 | |
| Total | 673 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
12a. Does your utility use any of the following technologies to treat seawater for potable use?
a. Micro- or ultrafiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Nanofiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Ion exchange
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Reverse osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 0 |
| Yes | 1 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Forward osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Electrodialysis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Electrodialysis reversal
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Membrane distillation
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
i. Non-membrane thermal distillation
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Treat Seawater | No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
12b. How easy or difficult has it been for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating seawater?
a. Acquiring sufficient capital
b. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
c. Gaining technical expertise
d. Managing brine disposal issues
e. Managing ocean intake issues
f. Obtaining regulatory permits
g. Obtaining public support
12c. Has your utility studied the feasibility of treating seawater for potable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Do Not Treat Seawater | Yes | 1.4 | 0.6 -- 3.0 |
| No | 98.6 | 97.0 -- 99.4 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
12d. How easy or difficult would it be for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating seawater?
a. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 2 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 21 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 2 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 22 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 15 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 8 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 5 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 16 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Managing ocean intake issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 5 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 14 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 6 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 3 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 20 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Seawater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 12 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 13 | |
| Total | 25 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
13. Does your utility treat brackish water (ground or surface) for potable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 6.5 | 4.0 -- 9.9 |
| No | 93.5 | 90.1 -- 96.0 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
13a. Does your utility use any of the following technologies to treat brackish water (ground or surface) for potable use?
a. Micro- or ultrafiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 10 |
| No | 50 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Nanofiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 6 |
| No | 54 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Ion exchange
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 4 |
| No | 56 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Reverse osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 45 |
| No | 15 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Forward osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 1 |
| No | 59 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Electrodialysis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 1 |
| No | 59 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Electrodialysis reversal
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 1 |
| No | 59 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Membrane distillation
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 2 |
| No | 58 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
i. Non-membrane thermal distillation
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 1 |
| No | 59 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
13b. How easy or difficult has it been for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating brackish water (ground or surface)?
a. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 27 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 30 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 30 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 27 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 39 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 17 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 24 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 25 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 11 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 26 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 19 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 15 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 30 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 25 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 5 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 37 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 19 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 60 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
13c. Has your utility studied the feasibility of treating brackish water (ground or surface) for potable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Do Not Treat Brackish Water | Yes | 3.5 | 1.7 -- 6.3 |
| No | 96.5 | 93.7 -- 98.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
13d. How easy or difficult would it be for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating brackish water (ground or surface)?
a. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 5 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 20 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 5 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 20 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 13 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 12 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 3 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 21 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 9 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 15 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 7 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 19 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Brackish Water | Very/Somewhat Easy | 14 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 12 | |
| Total | 26 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
14. Does your utility recycle or reuse municipal wastewater for
direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 9.9 | 7.3 -- 13.1 |
| No | 90.1 | 86.9 -- 92.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
14a. Does your utility use any of the following technologies to recycle or reuse wastewater for direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
a. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (e.g., using ozone or hydrogen peroxide)
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 11 |
| No | 154 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Ultraviolet light
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 61 |
| No | 104 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Activated carbon
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 14 |
| No | 151 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Micro- or ultrafiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 26 |
| No | 139 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Nanofiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 2 |
| No | 163 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Ion exchange
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 4 |
| No | 161 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Reverse osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 6 |
| No | 159 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Forward osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | No | 165 |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
i. Membrane bioreactor
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 20 |
| No | 145 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
j. Soil infiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 26 |
| No | 139 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
k. Wetlands treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 18 |
| No | 147 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
14b. For which of the following purposes does your utility recycle or reuse wastewater?
a. Direct potable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 1.1 | 0.4 -- 2.5 |
| No | 98.9 | 97.5 -- 99.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Indirect potable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 9.6 | 4.1 -- 18.2 |
| No | 90.4 | 81.8 -- 95.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Nonpotable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Yes | 97.3 | 96.1 -- 98.2 |
| No | 2.7 | 1.8 -- 3.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
14c. How easy or difficult has it been for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to recycling or reusing wastewater?
a. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 62 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 40 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 63 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 48 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 88 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 29 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 65 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 76 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 24 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 113 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 26 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 26 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 15 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 22 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 128 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Reaching agreement with regulators on standards for treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 70 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 62 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 33 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 72 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 69 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 24 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 80 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 55 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 30 | |
| Total | 165 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
14d. Has your utility studied the feasibility of recycling or reusing municipal wastewater for
direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Do Not Treat Wastewater | Yes | 5.1 | 3.1 -- 7.8 |
| No | 94.9 | 92.2 -- 96.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
14e. How easy or difficult would it be for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to recycling or reusing wastewater?
a. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 23 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 21 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 12 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 3 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 50 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 10 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 42 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 34 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 19 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 8 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 22 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 26 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Reaching agreement with regulators on standards for treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 15 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 34 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 7 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 15 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 36 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 5 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Wastewater | Very/Somewhat Easy | 17 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 36 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 56 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
15. Does a facility that is NOT part of your utility recycle or reuse municipal wastewater for nonpotable use in your service area?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 7.1 | 4.7 -- 10.4 |
| No | 92.9 | 89.6 -- 95.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
15a. Does this facility use any of the following technologies to recycle or reuse wastewater for nonpotable use in your service area?
a. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (e.g., using ozone or hydrogen peroxide)
b. Ultraviolet light
c. Activated carbon
d. Micro- or ultrafiltration
e. Nanofiltration
f. Ion exchange
g. Reverse osmosis
h. Forward osmosis
i. Membrane bioreactor
j. Soil infiltration
k. Wetlands treatment
16. Does your utility treat stormwater runoff captured from developed areas
for direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 2.1 | 0.9 -- 3.9 |
| No | 97.9 | 96.1 -- 99.1 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
16a. Does your utility use any of the following technologies to treat stormwater runoff captured from developed areas
for direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
a. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (e.g., using ozone or hydrogen peroxide)
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | No | 20 |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Ultraviolet light
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 3 |
| No | 17 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Activated carbon
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 3 |
| No | 17 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Micro- or ultrafiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 3 |
| No | 17 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Nanofiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 1 |
| No | 19 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Ion exchange
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | No | 20 |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Reverse osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 1 |
| No | 19 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Forward osmosis
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | No | 20 |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
i. Membrane bioreactor
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 1 |
| No | 19 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
j. Soil infiltration
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 7 |
| No | 13 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
k. Wetlands treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 7 |
| No | 13 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
16b. For which of the following purposes does your utility treat stormwater runoff captured from developed areas?
a. Direct potable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 5.8 | 1.9 -- 13.2 |
| No | 94.2 | 86.8 -- 98.1 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
b. Indirect potable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | . | Not reported: estimate unreliable |
| No | . | Not reported: estimate unreliable | |
| Total | 100.0 |
c. Nonpotable use
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 95.3 | 88.4 -- 98.7 |
| No | 4.7 | 1.3 -- 11.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
16c. How easy or difficult has it been for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating stormwater runoff captured from developed areas?
a. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 10 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 4 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 6 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 5 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 12 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 7 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 10 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 13 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 4 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 2 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 4 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 14 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Reaching agreement with regulators on standards for treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 9 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 8 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 3 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 9 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 7 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Treat Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 12 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 4 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 4 | |
| Total | 20 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
16d. Has your utility studied the feasibility of treating stormwater runoff captured from developed areas for
direct potable use, indirect potable use, or nonpotable use?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with Facilities that Do Not Treat Stormwater Runoff | Yes | 1.1 | 0.4 -- 2.4 |
| No | 98.9 | 97.6 -- 99.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
16e. How easy or difficult would it be for your utility to address each of the following possible challenges to treating stormwater runoff captured from developed areas?
a. Gaining access through existing water rights laws
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 3 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 12 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. Acquiring sufficient capital
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 1 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 14 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. Paying for operating and maintenance costs
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 3 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 12 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 2 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
d. Gaining technical expertise
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 9 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 7 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
e. Managing brine disposal issues
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 2 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 6 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 9 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
f. Reaching agreement with regulators on standards for treatment
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 2 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 14 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
g. Obtaining regulatory permits
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 1 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 15 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
h. Obtaining public support
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Systems that Have Studied Treating Stormwater Runoff | Very/Somewhat Easy | 10 |
| Very/Somewhat Difficult | 6 | |
| Not Applicable/No Answer | 1 | |
| Total | 17 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
17. Does a facility that is NOT part of your utility treat stormwater runoff captured from developed areas for nonpotable use in your service area?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | Yes | 2.5 | 1.1 -- 4.8 |
| No | 97.5 | 95.2 -- 98.9 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
17a. Does this separate facility use any of the following technologies to treat stormwater runoff captured from developed areas
for nonpotable use in your service area?
a. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (e.g., using ozone or hydrogen peroxide)
b. Ultraviolet light
c. Activated carbon
d. Micro- or ultrafiltration
e. Nanofiltration
f. Ion exchange
g. Reverse osmosis
h. Forward osmosis
i. Membrane bioreactor
j. Soil infiltration
k. Wetlands treatment
Section 3 - System Characteristics
18. Number of facilities
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems with One or More Treatment Facilities | 1 Treatment Facility | 51.7 | 46.0 -- 57.4 |
| 2-4 Treatment Facilities | 33.4 | 28.0 -- 38.7 | |
| 5 or More Treatment Facilities | 15.0 | 11.1 -- 19.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
1. None, we purchase 100% of our water in treated form.
19. For each of your utility's treatment facilities, what was the average daily production in millions of
gallons per day (MGD) for calendar year 2014?
Facility 1 - MGD
Facility 2- MGD
Facility 3 - MGD
Facility 4 - MGD
Facility 5 - MGD
Facility 6 - MGD
Facility 7 - MGD
Facility 8 - MGD
20. For each of your treatment facilities, what percentage of the intake water comes from each of the following types of source water? (Note: If your utility has more than four facilities, additional space will be provided in the next question.)
a. Surface water, fresh
Percent surface water, fresh facility 1
Percent surface water, fresh facility 2
Percent surface water, fresh facility 3
Percent surface water, fresh facility 4
b. Surface water, brackish
Percent surface water, brackish facility 1
Percent surface water, brackish facility 2
Percent surface water, brackish facility 3
Percent surface water, brackish facility 4
c. Ground water, fresh
Percent ground water, fresh facility 1
Percent ground water, fresh facility 2
Percent ground water, fresh facility 3
Percent ground water, fresh facility 4
d. Ground water, brackish
Percent ground water, brackish facility 1
Percent ground water, brackish facility 2
Percent ground water, brackish facility 3
Percent ground water, brackish facility 4
e. Seawater
Percent seawater facility 1
Percent seawater facility 2
Percent seawater facility 3
Percent seawater facility 4
f. Municipal wastewater effluent
Percent municipal waste water facility 1
Percent municipal waste water facility 2
Percent municipal waste water facility 3
Percent municipal waste water facility 4
g. Captured stormwater runoff from developed areas
Percent captured storm water facility 1
Percent captured storm water facility 2
Percent captured storm water facility 3
Percent captured storm water facility 4
Total
_____%
_____%
_____%
_____%
21. Does your utility have more than four treatment facilities to report?
21a. For each of your treatment facilities, what percentage of the intake water comes from each of the following types of source water?
a. Surface water, fresh
Percent surface water, fresh facility 5
Percent surface water, fresh facility 6
Percent surface water, fresh facility 7
Percent surface water, fresh facility 8
b. Surface water, brackish
Percent surface water, brackish facility 5
Percent surface water, brackish facility 6
Percent surface water, brackish facility 7
Percent surface water, brackish facility 8
c. Ground water, fresh
Percent ground water, fresh facility 5
Percent ground water, fresh facility 6
Percent ground water, fresh facility 7
Percent ground water, fresh facility 8
d. Ground water, brackish
Percent ground water, brackish facility 5
Percent ground water, brackish facility 6
Percent ground water, brackish facility 7
Percent ground water, brackish facility 8
e. Seawater
Percent seawater facility 5
Percent seawater facility 6
Percent seawater facility 7
Percent seawater facility 8
f. Municipal wastewater effluent
Percent municipal waste water facility 5
Percent municipal waste water facility 6
Percent municipal waste water facility 7
Percent municipal waste water facility 8
g. Captured stormwater runoff from developed areas
Percent captured storm water facility 5
Percent captured storm water facility 6
Percent captured storm water facility 7
Percent captured storm water facility 8
Total
_____%
_____%
_____%
_____%
22. Are there any treatment facilities that are NOT part of your utility but treat municipal wastewater for nonpotable reuse in your service area?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 5.3 | 3.5 -- 7.7 |
| No | 94.7 | 92.3 -- 96.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
22a. What was the average daily production of nonpotable water in millions of gallons per day (MGD) for the past 12 months for each of these treatment facilities?
a. Facility 1
Facility 1 - MGD
1. Don't know
b. Facility 2
Facility 2 - MGD
1. Don't know
b. Facility 3
Facility 3 - MGD
1. Don't know
d. Facility 4
Facility 4 - MGD
1. Don't know
23. Are there any treatment facilities that are NOT part of your utility but treat stormwater runoff from developed areas for
nonpotable use in your service area?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 1.0 | 0.3 -- 2.7 |
| No | 99.0 | 97.3 -- 99.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
23a. What was the average daily production of nonpotable water in millions of gallons per day (MGD) for the past 12 months for each of these treatment facilities?
a. Facility 1
Facility 1 - MGD
1. Don't know
b. Facility 2
Facility 2 - MGD
1. Don't know
b. Facility 3
Facility 3 - MGD
1. Don't know
d. Facility 4
Facility 4 - MGD
1. Don't know
24. Is your utility government owned or privately owned?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Government owned | 80.4 | 76.3 -- 84.5 |
| Privately owned - nonprofit | 14.4 | 10.9 -- 18.6 | |
| Privately owned - for profit | 5.1 | 3.2 -- 7.8 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
25. Which of the following services does your utility manage for your service area?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Drinking water only | 34.9 | 30.1 -- 39.7 |
| Drinking water and wastewater only | 32.3 | 27.6 -- 37.0 | |
| Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater | 32.8 | 28.1 -- 37.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
26. How many customer connections of each of the following types does your utility have?
(Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)
a. Number of residential connections
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Among Systems Reporting One or More Residential Connections | Median | 3,310.8 | 3006 -- 3785 |
| Mean | 8,855.7 | 8050 -- 9661 |
b. Number of agricultural connections
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Among Systems Reporting One or More Agricultural Connections | Median | 14.7 | 9.2 -- 30.5 |
| Mean | 96.7 | 52.1 -- 141.4 |
c. Number of commercial/industrial connections
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Among Systems Reporting One or More Commercial/Industrial Connections | Median | 199.8 | 169.9 -- 256.1 |
| Mean | 791.7 | 661.7 -- 921.8 |
27. During the past 12 months, what percentage of the total water produced by your utility went to each of the following types of customers? (Enter percentages. If none, enter zero.)
a. To Residential customers
Percentage of water to residential customers
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents that Supplied an Estimate | Median | 79.9 | 75.4 -- 80.0 |
| Mean | 72.9 | 70.3 -- 75.6 |
1. Don't know
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Systems | Checked | 235 |
| Not checked | 598 | |
| Total | 833 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
b. To Agricultural customers
Percentage of water to agricultural customers
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents that Supplied an Estimate | Median | . | Not Reported: Estimate Unreliable |
| Mean | 1.8 | 0.7 -- 2.9 |
1. Don't know
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Systems | Checked | 169 |
| Not checked | 664 | |
| Total | 833 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
c. To Commercial/Industrial customers
Percentage of water to commercial/industrial customers
| Estimate Type |
Estimate | 95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents that Supplied an Estimate | Median | 19.0 | 15.6 -- 20.9 |
| Mean | 23.9 | 21.4 -- 26.5 |
1. Don't know
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Systems | Checked | 238 |
| Not checked | 595 | |
| Total | 833 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
28. During the past 12 months, what percentage of the total water that your utility produced was non-revenue water (i.e., not billed to customers)? (Enter percentage. If none, enter zero.)
Percentage of non-revenue water
Non-revenue Water
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents that Supplied an Estimate | Less than 10% | 64.1 | 58.5 -- 69.6 |
| 10% to less than 20% | 23.8 | 18.9 -- 28.8 | |
| 20% to less than 30% | 6.4 | 3.9 -- 9.9 | |
| 30% to less than 40% | 3.5 | 1.6 -- 6.4 | |
| 40% to less than 50% | 1.5 | 0.4 -- 3.9 | |
| 50% and greater | 0.7 | 0.1 -- 2.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
1. Don't know
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Systems | Checked | 218 |
| Not checked | 615 | |
| Total | 833 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
29. During the past 12 months, what percentage of the total water that your utility produced was lost as a result of leaks in the distribution system?
(Enter percentage. If none, enter zero.)
Percentage lost to leaks
Lost to leaks
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents that Supplied an Estimate | Less than 10% | 47.0 | 40.8 -- 53.3 |
| 10% to less than 20% | 35.9 | 29.7 -- 42.0 | |
| 20% to less than 30% | 12.1 | 8.1 -- 17.1 | |
| 30% to less than 40% | 3.5 | 1.5 -- 6.9 | |
| 40% to less than 50% | 0.4 | 0.0 -- 2.1 | |
| 50% and greater | 1.1 | 0.2 -- 3.5 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
Lost to leaks - DK
1. Don't know
| Unweighted Count |
||
|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Systems | Checked | 338 |
| Not checked | 495 | |
| Total | 833 | |
| Due to Small Cell Counts, Unweighted System Counts are Reported Instead of Generalizable Estimates |
||
30. In the past five years, has your utility conducted a formal water audit (for example, using water audit software)?
| Question Choices |
Estimated Percentage |
95 Percent Confidence Interval |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Population of Respondents | Yes | 37.5 | 32.0 -- 43.1 |
| No | 62.5 | 56.9 -- 68.0 | |
| Total | 100.0 |
31. Which zip codes does your utility serve?
(Please list each zip code separated by a space.)
32. Are you ready to submit your final completed survey to GAO?
(This is equivalent to mailing a completed paper survey to us. It
tells us that your answers are official and final.)
| Strata | Respondents | Respondent Percent |
Nonrespondents | Nonrespondent Percent |
Stratum Total |
Total Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Medium Sized Systems with WaSSI >=0.4 | 122 | 61.0 | 78 | 39.0 | 200 | 100.0 |
| 2. Medium Sized Systems with WaSSI <0.4 | 128 | 64.0 | 72 | 36.0 | 200 | 100.0 |
| 3. Large Sized Systems with WaSSI >=0.4 | 128 | 64.0 | 72 | 36.0 | 200 | 100.0 |
| 4. Large Sized Systems with WaSSI <0.4 | 133 | 66.5 | 67 | 33.5 | 200 | 100.0 |
| 5. Very Large Sized Systems with WaSSI >=0.4 | 44 | 67.7 | 21 | 32.3 | 65 | 100.0 |
| 6. Very Large Sized Systems with WaSSI <0.4 | 137 | 61.4 | 86 | 38.6 | 223 | 100.0 |
| 7. Systems that Use Alternative Technology (Any Size/WaSSI) | 141 | 65.6 | 74 | 34.4 | 215 | 100.0 |
| Total | 833 | 63.9 | 470 | 36.1 | 1,303 | 100.0 |
| Unweighted Counts/Percentages Respondents include Converted Partial Responses Nonrespondents include Noncontacts Population Served: Medium: 3,301 to 10,000 | Large: 10,001 to 100,000 | Very Large: 100,001 and up WaSSI Value Used in Sample Stratification was Refined Slightly in Final Analysis |
||||||