USING REGRESSION-ANALYSIS TO PROJECT PUMPAGE

The city of Austin, Texas, Water and Wastewater Utility has used regression analysis to project water pumpage. It is a reasonably accurate, easy to learn and use, and inexpensive technique; it does not require an unusual amount of data; the explanatory variables and regression results can be quickly checked for statistical significance; and the input data can be easily modified. The fact remains, however, that regression cannot completely explain a complicated, multifaceted process. Also, there are limits to refining the predictions.