Key performance indicators for small and medium-sized urban water systems in a semi-arid region: a case study of Okanagan Valley, Canada

Drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater are three components of an Urban Water System. Maintenance of these components requires evaluation of the existing performance of the water system. The evaluation becomes more significant in small and medium-sized water systems because these systems wrestle with various constraints, such as insufficient funds, inadequate infrastructure and water governance. In this study, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are identified for each UWS component considering six performance criteria. A questionnaire was distributed to water utilities across the Okanagan Valley. KPIs were identified by combining Delphi technique and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation methods. Ninety-six KPIs were identified with 39, 30, and 27 KPIs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Based on the available literature, <i>agriculture water use, low impact development implementation (LID), average annual life cycle investment, and swimming advisories</i> are a few notable KPIs that are unique to the Valley.