The Hidden Leak in Your Utility’s Wallet
Every drop of water that doesn’t make it to a meter is more than a loss — it’s a direct hit to your utility’s financial health. Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is the treated, distributed water that never gets billed, usually due to leaks, theft, or bad metering. In many systems, NRW can exceed 30%. Imagine the savings — and impact — if even half of that could be recovered.
This post breaks down the most effective strategies to identify, manage, and reduce NRW — so you can plug the leaks in both your system and your budget.
What Counts as Non-Revenue Water?
Non-Revenue Water is typically broken into three categories:
-
Physical losses – leaks in pipes, tanks, and valves
-
Commercial losses – meter inaccuracies, theft, or billing errors
-
Unbilled authorized use – firefighting, municipal irrigation, etc.
The consequences go beyond money: NRW undermines service reliability, shortens infrastructure lifespan, and wastes energy and treatment resources.
Proven Strategies to Cut NRW
1. Leak Detection & Smart Pressure Management
Find leaks before they surface using acoustic sensors, satellite tech, and routine detection patrols. Smart pressure zones help minimize burst frequency and pipe fatigue, especially in older systems.
2. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Smart meters = smarter billing + faster alerts. AMI lets you track water use in real time, detect anomalies instantly, and reduce manual error. Bonus: customers can detect leaks on their property too.
3. Conduct Water Audits
A well-run audit quantifies NRW and pinpoints loss types. We recommend using the AWWA Water Audit Methodology — it’s the industry gold standard for strategic loss management.
4. Implement District Metered Areas (DMAs)
Divide your system into smaller zones. This lets you monitor flow and pressure in each area, making it faster and easier to detect unusual loss patterns — without overhauling your entire network.
5. Prioritize Infrastructure Rehabilitation
It’s not sexy — but replacing pipes and valves in high-loss zones pays off. Use audit data and performance mapping to guide capital projects and justify funding.
6. Invest in Staff Training & Capacity
Operators are your first line of defense. Training field staff on leak detection, meter reading, and data interpretation can lead to huge improvements in early detection and response.
Why NRW Reduction Isn’t Optional
Water loss is more than a line item — it’s a sustainability threat. Reducing NRW:
-
Lowers energy use from pumping and treatment
-
Defers capital expenses by extending asset life
-
Improves customer trust and service reliability
-
Helps unlock grant funding for infrastructure upgrades
Work with Experts Who Deliver Results
At BCG Water, we specialize in NRW reduction strategy. From GIS-based loss mapping to DMA implementation and audit coaching, we help utilities:
-
Recover lost revenue
-
Improve system resilience
-
Secure long-term sustainability
Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling existing efforts, we bring data, diagnostics, and hands-on experience to get you real-world results.
Call to Action (CTA)
👉 Ready to stop flushing revenue down the pipe? Contact us to schedule a Non-Revenue Water Efficiency Assessment.