Water loss & Non-Revenue
Water Management

Module 1: Understanding Non-Revenue Water
Objective: Introduce participants to the concepts and challenges of NRW in the water sector.
• Definition of NRW and its components (real losses, apparent losses, unbilled authorized consumption)
• Overview of the global NRW problem and its scale
• Impacts of NRW on utility performance:
o Financial loss
o Environmental effects
o Service delivery challenges
• Classification of water losses:
o Physical losses
o Commercial losses
o Unavoidable annual real losses (UARL)

Module 2: The IWA Water Balance and NRW Indicators
Objective: Equip participants with tools to quantify NRW using standardized methods.
• Introduction to the International Water Association (IWA) Water Balance model
• Step-by-step development of a water balance
• Understanding and calculating:
o System Input Volume
o Authorized Consumption
o Billed vs Unbilled
o Real and Apparent Losses
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
o NRW as % of System Input Volume
o NRW in m³/km/day
o Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)
• Interpretation and use of KPIs in decision-making

Module 3: Real Losses (Physical Losses) Management
Objective: Focus on controlling and minimizing physical losses from infrastructure.
• Causes and types of real losses (leakage, bursts, overflows)
• Active leakage control:
o Step-testing
o Acoustic leak detection tools
o Ground microphones and correlators
• Pressure management techniques:
o Fixed outlet PRVs
o Time-based vs demand-based pressure modulation
• Infrastructure maintenance strategies
• Creating and managing District Metered Areas (DMAs)
• Preventive maintenance and pipeline replacement planning

Module 4: Apparent Losses Management
Objective: Address water losses due to metering errors, data handling, and illegal use.
• Types and causes of apparent losses:
o Inaccurate metering
o Billing errors
o Unauthorized consumption
• Meter management:
o Meter selection and installation
o Meter calibration and maintenance
o Meter replacement policies
• Billing and collection system improvement
• Illegal connections and theft detection methods
• Customer database validation and improvement
• Role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and smart metering

Module 5: Developing a NRW Reduction Strategy
Objective: Enable participants to formulate and implement tailored NRW reduction plans.
• Step-by-step NRW reduction planning
• Setting realistic targets
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Cost-benefit analysis for NRW activities
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Staffing and capacity building needs
• Integration with utility strategic plans

Module 6: Data Collection, Monitoring, and Reporting
Objective: Build skills in tracking progress, analyzing trends, and reporting.
• Establishing a data collection framework
• Data reliability and audit trails
• NRW dashboards and data visualization
• Monitoring tools and software (AMR/AMI systems)
• Annual performance reviews
• Stakeholder reporting and transparency
• Creating NRW performance improvement reports

Module 7: Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Framework
Objective: Emphasize the importance of people and policies in NRW control.
• Organizational structure for NRW programs
• Roles and responsibilities (technical, commercial, and customer services)
• Staff incentives and performance-based contracts
• Legal and regulatory framework for water loss control
• Public awareness campaigns
• Community engagement and reporting leakages

Module 8: Case Studies and Field Application
Objective: Provide real-world insights and hands-on experience.
• Local and international case studies:
o What worked and why
o Lessons learned
• Group exercises:
o NRW audit simulation
o DMA design practice
o Meter testing demo
• Field visits (optional, if in-person training):
o Leak detection in a DMA
o Utility NRW control center tour
• Practical sessions with tools and software