Non-Revenue Water reduction: why should water utilities address this challenge

Non-Revenue Water (NRW or Lost Water) is one of the main challenges in the industry. The term refers to water that is produced but never reaches the consumer, as it is lost along the distribution network.

Water utilities are increasingly turning their attention to this problem due to ecological, economical and organizational reasons with the aim of reducing NRW.

1. Ecological: water scarcity

There is an increasing concern for the growing levels of water scarcity around the world. During this decade the planet will undergo unprecedented drought stress. This will become a common problem in different areas of the world and will be particularly problematic in the poorest areas, which will be less able to adapt or battle it.

2. Economical: water sanitation costs

The challenges of water utilities are very varied. However, a constant among them is the need to treat extracted water prior to its injection onto the distribution network, thereby undertaking the expense required to sanitize it. This means that inefficient and leaking distribution networks translate the cost entirely to utilities which have already paid for the purification of lost water.

Water filtration pond
Water treatment

3. Organizational: continuous improvement mentality

Organizations are adopting more and more a culture of never-ending strive for optimization. In line with this continuous improvement mentality, the commitment to operational excellence at every step of the process should guide their actions.

 

For all these reasons, Non-Revenue Water reduction is a challenge that should be addressed by water organizations around the world. And new technologies such as Big Data or Machine Learning are the perfect ally for this.

In GoAigua we consider the problem of water leakages and persisting high levels of NRW as one of the most fundamental sources of inefficiencies that water utilities can face. The high costs for companies, consumers and the environment have been mentioned before. However, it is the asset network that suffers this situation the most.

Improving the hydric efficiency of distribution networks is at the cornerstone of GoAigua’s services and technological solutions on asset digitalization. Two of our most popular case studies are Hamad International Airport reduces leaks by 60% and Valencia saves more than 4 million m3 of water per year.

 


GoAigua is a pioneer company in the digitalization of the water industry. We accompany water sector organizations in their digital transformation process and provide technological solutions for the commercial cycle, assets and work orders. We digitalize both infrastructures and processes to build a smart decision system in water organizations. From Water Experts to the Water Industry.

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