MUD: 11.2M gallons unaccounted-for in October

Nearly 40% of the water supply went unaccounted for as the department prepares for waterline replacement project

1:00 p.m. Nov. 10, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Nearly four of every 10 gallons of water produced or purchased by the Metro Utility Department went unaccounted for in October, according to figures included in the department’s board packet for Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The figures come as MUD moves forward with a waterline replacement project and other infrastructure improvements across Moore County.

The Utility Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, with Marble Hill Road, an engineer’s report, and a manager’s report among the agenda items.

• November Meeting Agenda

Water losses top 11 million gallons

The department produced 24,725,000 gallons of water in October and purchased another 3,529,700 gallons, bringing its total supply to 28,254,700 gallons.

Customers purchased 16.77 million gallons, leaving 11.48 million gallons – or 40.6% of the total supply – unaccounted for before adjustments.

MUD accounted for another 267,724 gallons through documented leaks and operational uses, including flushing, fire department consumption, and water used at utility facilities. After those deductions, the remaining unaccounted-for water totaled 11.21 million gallons, or 39.7%.

The department serves approximately 2,800 connections. Its October report includes records of individual water leaks repaired during the month but does not identify the cause of the much larger volume of unaccounted-for water.

At its October meeting, the board voted 4-0 to move forward with borrowing $1 million to replace galvanized waterlines in Chapman Acres and along Highway 55. The packet does not establish how much of the reported water loss that project might address.

Financial reports show net losses

From July 1 through Nov. 2, MUD reported approximately $1.31 million in income and $1.36 million in expenses, resulting in a net accounting loss of $43,518.

For the more recent reporting period, Oct. 2 through Nov. 2, the department recorded $304,520 in income and $327,133 in expenses, a loss of $22,614.

The statements are prepared on an accrual basis and include noncash expenses such as depreciation. The year-to-date figures reflect approximately $286,775 in depreciation and $134,758 in debt-service interest.

Separately, October billing records show approximately $341,142 in gross charges for water, sewer, and other utility services. Those charges represent amounts billed, not necessarily payments collected.