It is simple to predict the amount and source of lost water in a utility system. Service line leakage predominates, typically accounting for more than 70% of total water lost. Breaks in mains tend to occur in particular areas in relation to pipe types and diurnal pressure variations. Pipeline integrity failure costs include:
Production / treatment cost of water
Wholesale or retail value of lost water
Capital and interest expense invested in surplus production facilities
Intangible costs from depletion of water resources, barriers to development due to water scarcity, and corrosion damage to buried infrastructure