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Sewer system operators are stepping up to Identify and correct problems with ground- <br />water infiltration and Inflow. <br />16 <br />State and fecleral regulations have clamped down on sewer systems thak release untreated <br />or inaciequaCely treared sewage t1owing into streams avd rivers. A leading cause of these <br />releases has been inflow and infiltration p&q - rain and groundwater seeping into <br />sewer systems and overtaxing the capacity of treatment plants. The Rural Center's 1998 <br />inventory ot cle~n water inhastnacYUZe ldentified a signiPicaot source of the I&I pxoblem <br />as aged, deTeriorating pipes, yet only 5 percent of sysYems reported making improve- <br />ments to their sewer lines at that time. I&I and pipe teplacement remain significant <br />issues, but systems have begun to identify and locate leaking pipes. More than half of <br />all systems have now conducted smoke tests to pinpoint feaks, and 65 percent have <br />adopted a regular line inspe~~tion and cle~ning program. <br />Water loss is a signlficant problem recefving inadequate attention. <br />Statewide, public water systems '7ose" more than 35 billion gallons of water a year to <br />leaking pipes, unmetered connedions and similar problems.l'haYs a}~ptoximately 10 <br />percent of all treated drinking watec In spite of this, less than a third of all sysYems <br />support a regutar leak detection program, and only a quarter have conducted even <br />a single ]eak deteckion study. <br />Inadequate maintenance shows up on the bottom Ilne. <br />Systems are losinb money because of inadequate infrastructure maintenance and <br />replacement. Water and sewer systems represent a majariry of assets for nnits af local <br />government in North Carolina. Operating tliose systems at a]oss threatens the financial <br />solvency of those governments. Each year, the State'IYeasurcr's Office releases an audit <br />G-~~ <br />Efforts to Curb Water Loss by Improving Operations and Maintenance Work <br />