Beginning early last week water usage, specifically what is delivered to the buildings following treatment, spiked. Not only was our consumption far outside of our normal usage during operating hours, but it was significantly higher than we would expect in off hours/weekends. After tracking burn rates, I calculated an average continuous flow of ~1.25gpm. 

With the help of the operator core and Richard, Facilities began the process of trying to determine the source of the lost water. This usually means site walks both inside and out looking for running water/stuck valves/wet areas. Persistent rain was no help in determining a potential source outside and there was no apparent continuous/suspect flow inside. Given that, we began the process of elimination by isolating water supply to individual buildings. We began with the staging and VPW which share a shutoff valve but to no avail. The same was done at the LSB and LExC yielding the same result. Head scratching continued and I eventually stumbled upon a small wet area of asphalt just outside the Carpenter Shop near the potable water holding tank. It was not immediately clear to me that this would be the source of the leak since the rain was still intermittent and the presence of water was pretty unsuspecting given what we have likely put in the ground in that area. So, I snapped a photo and kept an eye on this area in the coming days. Each day that went by the spot did not dry and actually grew larger. At this point it is clear that the water leak is beneath the asphalt and judging by the as-built drawings is probably a failed 45 deg joint. 

Beginning early next week the asphalt will be removed and the surrounding area will be vacuumed out as opposed to dug so as not to have to interrupt the supply of high volts to the chillers etc. Once the failed area is identified potable supply will have to be cut off to the entire site while repairs take place.

E.  Otterman R. McCarthy C. Soike T. Sanchez T. Guidry