Reducing Non-Revenue Water

Most utilities know they have a significant non-revenue water problem — with the typical system bleeding an average of 24 percent annually — but few have the expertise and technology to address it properly. While the concept of water loss in the distribution network isn’t new, water scarcity and the difficulty of raising rates as an offset means non-revenue water (NRW) is no longer tolerable.

At the same time, NRW across the industry will continue to get worse as a substantial amount of infrastructure stays in service well beyond its expected lifespan.

The good news, however, is that municipalities now have access to improved practices and advanced technologies to help reduce losses. Central Arkansas Water, for instance, has implemented a wide range of initiatives and now boasts a much-lower-than-average 10 percent NRW rate. Meanwhile, California has taken a lead and is setting an example by adopting and sharing best practices.

The details in these stories, bundled together in this free eBook, are meant to provide the framework for water supply managers to tackle NRW.