Reversing Water Loss In A Rural Municipality

In June of 2019, the town of Oneida, Tennessee was experiencing an impossible situation. With increasing state regulations and massive water loss, the water department was taken over by the local government.

Oneida produces 400 million gallons of water a year and saw a 51% water loss, meaning that over 200 million gallons a year were being lost to leaks. The loss cost the city $186,000 annually and caused the water treatment plant to operate on 12- to 14-hour days to keep up with demand.

Oneida was put on notice by the EPA, like many rural municipalities with limited resources and aging infrastructure, Oneida was overwhelmed by increasing expectations and was out of ideas.

In this case study, explore how Oneida's water department went from dealing with water loss, partnering up and solving the challenge, and getting unexpected results.