Abstract: Intermittent Water Supply (IWS) systems can be defined as piped water supply service that is available to consumers for much less than 24 hours per day on a permanent basis. In an IWS situation, the consumers may secure their water supply through the use of ground and/or roof tanks, where water is stored during the length of time that the supply is provided. Alternatively and particularly in low income areas consumers wait patiently to fill their containers when the water supply is available. IWS is enforced not only in cases where there is water resources shortage but also where the distribution network condition is such that it cannot sustain continuous supply. Although intermittent supply is sometimes introduced either as an emergency measure or as a measure to control water use and to reduce leakage it is however a situation worthwhile avoiding through proactive planning and timely response to critical conditions. The adverse effects of intermittent supply on the structural integrity of the network; water quality; equitable distribution of water; customer service; etc. have a negative impact on the level of service to the consumers with associated health and financial repercussions. Intermittent water supply is therefore not the objective. Continuous supply (24x7x365) should always be the aim in cases where IWS is enforced. However, in case of strong and permanent lack of resources it is imperative to manage the limited water quantities in the most effective manner in order to supply all consumers equitably under a permanent IWS regime minimising network losses.

About the speaker: Bambos Charalambous is a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Chartered Environmentalist and a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. His experience in water related fields spans over 38 years and he has worked on several projects in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. He has wide experience in urban water distribution network management, including Intermittent Water Supply, Non-Revenue Water and Water Loss Management. From 1995 to 2012 he was heading the Technical Services of the Water Board of Lemesos, a public water utility in Cyprus, with responsibilities over all technical matters, including planning, operation and maintenance of the water supply and distribution systems. Since 2012 he is a NRW and Water Utility Governance consultant and has served internationally on senior consultancy assignments with Water Utilities, IFIs and Water Associations. He is a Fellow of the International Water Association, a former chair of the IWA Water Loss Specialist Group, current Chair of the IWA Intermittent Water Supply Specialist Group and the President of the Cyprus Water Association.