Water shortages caused by drought in the 1970s plus the escalating cost of energy, chemicals, and water plant expansion compel managers of water utilities to use leak detection programs to help control losses associated with unaccounted-for water.John E. Piker is vice president of distribution services for the Gary-Hobart Water Corporation, 650 Madison St., Gary, IN 46402.

In most water‐treatment plants, a sizable portion of the initial invest ment, not considering distribution costs, goes into facilities for the removal of turbidity. Continuous turbidity monitoring can be effec tively used to obtain more effective and efficient use of these facilities.