Search Results (8)

Definitions of Non-Revenue Water (NRW), the Economic Level of Leakage (ELL), and their components are well-established and extensively documented in the literature. However, their practical calculation is often complex, typically requiring data that may not be readily available, or which must be estimated. In particular, the methodology used to determine the ELL is frequently subject to debate. All water supply systems (WSS) seek to minimize water losses, but the key challenge lies in identifying the optimal level of loss reduction. Beyond purely financial considerations, leakage reduction activities can have significant operational, social, and environmental implications for WSS. The broader environmental context in which a WSS operates can also shape the acceptable level of NRW. In this paper, the Acceptable Leakage Level (ALL) is defined as the level of NRW that is considered acceptable for a given WSS within its societal context, but is not universally quantifiable. The ALL can differ from the ELL, and this paper presents examples from Serbia and other countries. Factors influencing ALL are also discussed, including the underlying reasons for its divergence from ELL. Full article

Efficient and sustainable management of urban water resources is challenged by increasing water demand and water losses in distribution networks. Developing a Standard Water Balance (SWB) at the District Metered Area (DMA) scale is an effective method for quantifying water losses and supporting Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction strategies. This study applies a monthly SWB to a pilot DMA in Antalya, Türkiye. System input volumes were obtained from SCADA-based flow measurements, while billed authorized consumption was calculated using customer billing records from the local water utility. The results show distinct monthly variations in system input volume, with higher water losses observed during periods of increased demand. These findings demonstrate that a monthly, DMA-based SWB is a practical decision-support tool for sustainable water loss management. Full article

This study addresses the issue of water losses in drinking water distribution networks, a problem exacerbated by climate change, drought, and aging infrastructure. The research was conducted in the operational area of Frýdek-Místek, managed by Severomoravské vodovody a kanalizace Ostrava a.s., covering 59 municipalities, 1024.4 km of pipeline, and more than 32,594 service connections. The objective was to evaluate the impact of implementing the “Leakage monitor” software system (ver. 19-11-2024), which focuses on continuous monitoring of minimum night flows (Q_min), on the reduction in Non-Revenue Water (NRW). The system, deployed since 2019, enables automated data collection, remote transmission, and analysis for timely leak detection and localization using acoustic and correlator methods within district metered areas. The results confirmed a reduction in NRW from 14.6% in 2019 to 11.5% in 2024. The implementation of a “Leak monitor” has proven to be an effective tool for improving operational efficiency and ensuring both economic and environmental sustainability of water supply systems. Full article

Water, an essential asset for life and growth, is under growing pressure due to climate change, overpopulation, pollution, and industrialization. At the same time, water distribution within cities relies on piping networks that are over 30 years old and thereby prone to leaks, cracking, and losses. Taking this into account, non-revenue water (i.e., water that is distributed to homes and facilities but not returning revenues) is estimated at almost 50%. To this end, intelligent water management via computational advanced tools is required in order to optimize water usage, to mitigate losses, and, more importantly, to ensure sustainability. To address this issue, a case study was developed in this paper, following a step-by-step methodology for the city of Heraklion, Greece, in order to introduce an intelligent water management system that integrates advanced technologies into the aging water distribution infrastructure. The first step involved the digitalization of the network’s spatial data using geographic information systems (GIS), aiming at enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of water asset mapping. This methodology allowed for the creation of a framework that formed a “digital twin”, facilitating real-time analysis and effective water management. Digital twins were developed upon real-time data, validated models, or a combination of the above in order to accurately capture, simulate, and predict the operation of the real system/process, such as water distribution networks. The next step involved the incorporation of a hydraulic simulation and modeling tool that was able to analyze and calculate accurate water flow parameters (e.g., velocity, flowrate), pressure distributions, and potential inefficiencies within the network (e.g., loss of mass balance in/out of the district metered areas). This combination provided a comprehensive overview of the water system’s functionality, fostering decision-making and operational adjustments. Lastly, automatic meter reading (AMR) devices could then provide real-time data on water consumption and pressure throughout the network. These smart water meters enabled continuous monitoring and recording of anomaly detections and allowed for enhanced control over water distribution. All of the above were implemented and depicted in a web-based environment that allows users to detect water meters, check water consumption within specific time-periods, and perform real-time simulations of the implemented water network. Full article

Non-revenue water (NRW) can be expressed using different parameters (indices) in certain water supply systems (WSSs). The most used are percentages (as a share of NRW in system input water) and the infrastructure leakage index (ILI) based on the IWA methodology. The technical indicator of real losses (TIRLs) is also an index used for the estimation of certain WSS efficiency. Both real and apparent losses are significant in many WSSs in the Balkan region. Thirty-seven WSSs in Serbia and Montenegro, which differ in many aspects, were analyzed. After presenting the methodology and discussing the results, a conclusion is drawn, as well as general guidelines regarding the approach for the reduction of NRW for this region. Full article

Power generation is becoming an increasing problem in South Africa. South Africa produces approximately 90% of its electricity from coal-fired power stations and only 5% from hydroelectric power stations and pumped storage. Durban has a very steep topography, which results in high pressure in certain parts of the water distribution network (WDN). Leakage is costly and contributes to a large extent to non-revenue water (NRW) in the network. Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are used in WDNs to control the pressure in the pipework to reduce leakage. This excess pressure can be used to generate electricity by a pump acting as a turbine (PAT). The electricity generated is a function of the flow rate and the pressure reduction through the PAT. The hydraulic modelling software EPANET 2.2 is used for the analysis of the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlement Development Phase 2A WDN in Durban. EPANET is used to determine the strategic placement of PATs in the WDN and their setting and configuration to extract the most energy and reduce pressure in the system. A configuration of five PATs of different sizes extracts a total power output of 166.31 kW and reduces leakage in the WDN by 45.59 kL per month, which is an 18.16% reduction in leakage. Full article

According to the United Nation’s World Water Development Report, by 2050 more than 50% of the world’s population will be under high water scarcity. To avoid water stress, water resources are needed to be managed more securely. Smart water technology (SWT) has evolved for proper management and saving of water resources. Smart water system (SWS) uses sensor, information, and communication technology (ICT) to provide real-time monitoring of data such as pressure, water ow, water quality, moisture, etc. with the capability to detect any abnormalities such as non-revenue water (NRW) losses, water contamination in the water distribution system (WDS). It makes water and energy utilization more efficient in the water treatment plant and agriculture. In addition, the standardization of data format i.e., use of Water Mark UP language 2.0 has made data exchange easier for between different water authorities. This review research exhibits the current state-of-the-art of the on-going SWT along with present challenges and future scope on the mentioned technologies. A conclusion is drawn that smart technologies can lead to better water resource management, which can lead to the reduction of water scarcity worldwide. High implementation cost may act as a barrier to the implementation of SWT in developing countries, whereas data security and its reliability along with system ability to give accurate results are some of the key challenges in its field implementation. Full article

In contextualising the serious water loss, inefficient resource utilization, and ineffective water utility management in Malaysia, the objective of this study is to understand the public’s perception of non-revenue water (NRW) management in order to provide policy inputs, and to determine ways to improve public participation in NRW reduction. Findings reveal that there is currently only meagre public participation in NRW management in Malaysia, with a majority of the respondents demonstrating a lack of knowledge and awareness on NRW; over-dependence on water utility and government agencies in reducing NRW rates; and failure to submit a report when a leaking pipe is noticed. Educating the public on the importance of reducing NRW and promoting public interests and concerns around water tariffs, is essential to improve NRW reductions in Malaysia. Community-led strategies to better engage the public in addressing NRW-related issues have to be enhanced. To this end, concrete policy implications derived from the findings of the study are outlined. Full article