This study set up the estimates of leakage management efficiency evaluation and leakage management goal that could be used in local water distribution networks efficiency business and modernization business. The data were analyzed using data envelopment analysis and multiple regression analysis. To this end, with leakage management input indices concerning leakage reduction activities (e.g., aged pipe replacement, water meter replacement, leakage restoration, and leakage detection) and leakage management calculation indices (e.g., the increase of revenue water ratio and the reduction of leakage ratio), the data on 22 K-water consignment local water supply systems were analyzed for the years from 2004 through 2018. Using the results of efficiency analysis by data envelopment analysis, the other DMUs (Decision Making Unit) benchmarked the DMU with the highest efficiency to maximize the leakage management efficiency for all DMUs. Through this, leakage management goal estimates were drawn with the input indices of four leakage reduction activities and calculation indices of the increase of revenue water ratio and the reduction of leakage ratio by multiple regression analysis for each group based on the revenue water ratio and leakage ratio. The correlation coefficients of the leakage management goal estimate for the criteria for the revenue water ratio amounted to 0.553 and 0.771. The correlation coefficients of the leakage management goal estimate for the criteria for leakage ratio were 0.397 and 0.865. Accordingly, we estimated the quantity and priority of four leakage reduction activities for the target leakage ratio and revenue water ratio.

The estimation method of economical leakage management target utilized upon planning business for improvement of revenue water ratio in South Korea is presented and applicability of methods developed in this study is assessed through application on site. With a consideration of revenue water ratio in application target area, estimation method of long-term economical leakage management target is applied. Three leakage reduction methods such as replacement of residual aged pipe, leakage investigation and restoration and water pressure management are applied with a consideration of characteristics of site. Due to difficulty of obtaining data, analysis of cost/benefit by leakage reduction methods is performed by applying method of leakages estimation equation among statistical methods. As a result of application, revenue water ratio corresponding to long-term economical leakage management target is 91.6 %.