Water loss & Non-Revenue
Water Management
24 - 28 November 2025
Arusha - Tanzania
Cost per Delegate
Local - $700
International - $1,100
Introduction
Water is one of the world’s most vital and scarce resources. As urban populations grow and climate variability increases, the pressure on water utilities to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable water services has never been greater. Yet, across the globe, utilities are grappling with the significant challenge of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) — water that is produced but never billed due to physical losses (leakages), commercial losses (meter inaccuracies, billing errors, and theft), or administrative lapses.
In many regions, NRW can account for up to 40–60% of system input, representing not only a major financial loss but also a threat to sustainability, public trust, and infrastructure efficiency. Reducing NRW is one of the most effective ways to improve utility performance, delay costly infrastructure investments, and contribute to broader water conservation goals.
This comprehensive training course is designed to equip participants with a deep understanding of NRW, practical tools for its assessment, and proven strategies for its reduction. It covers the full cycle of NRW management — from understanding and measuring water loss to deploying technologies for leak detection and improving metering accuracy, all the way to planning and implementing a successful NRW reduction program.
Participants will learn how to:
• Diagnose the causes and extent of NRW in their systems
• Apply pressure management and district metering techniques
• Address metering and billing challenges
• Use data for informed decision-making
• Design a sustainable NRW management plan tailored to their utility’s needs
Course Objectives
• Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of water loss management principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, measure, and analyze water losses within water distribution systems.
• Familiarize participants with strategies for detecting and repairing leaks, optimizing system pressure, and managing water infrastructure effectively.
• Enable participants to develop and implement water loss control programs tailored to their specific organizational needs.
• Foster awareness of regulatory requirements, policy frameworks, and economic considerations associated with water loss management.
• Inspire participants to explore innovative technologies and future trends in the field of water loss management.
Who Should Attend
• Water utility managers and executives
• Engineers and technicians responsible for water distribution systems
• Regulatory and compliance officers
• Consultants and contractors specializing in water infrastructure
• Policy makers and government officials involved in water resource management
• Researchers and academics interested in water loss reduction strategies
Course Outline
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
End of the Workshop
For Training arrangements call us on the detail below
TANZANIA: +255 749 50 26 78
SOUTH AFRICA: +27 694 31 79 73
KENYA: +255 749 50 26 78
DUBAI: +27 694 31 79 73
