One of the key takeaways from the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) Spotlight 2017 event was that it is crucial that utilities invest into the next generation of smart water technologies in order to reduce non-revenue water (NRW).

In a recent outcome document from the event, which brought together more than 220 water utility leaders, ‘Cutting losses – improving network performance’ was one of the major Spotlight discussions covered.

A statement in the document read that while water utilities should strive towards achieving an NRW target of below 10 percent, the “optimum level of NRW would depend on several factors, such as water resource stress, financial considerations and economic level of leakage.”

The report also warned however, that “over-investment in driving down NRW, which could involve more costly methods, could result in diminishing economic returns.”

The document went on to highlight two examples of best practise in reducing NRW:

The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority is an excellent example of how it should be done, with a reduction of its NRW from 72 percent to 5.85 percent in less than 20 years.

Tokyo Waterworks may be an even better example, as it holds an inspiring world-record rate of 3.2 percent which was attained by virtue of the company employing vigilant efforts to anticipate and repair leaks early as well as by switching from lead to stainless steel service pipes, which are more durable.

Another innovative practice that the utility employed was the conducting of night-time patrols to detect leaks, as this is increasingly difficult during the day due to increased noise levels in urban areas.

Tokyo Waterworks also provided training to staff in the use of leakage sound detection bars and electronic leakage detectors, as well as making its water supply system more resilient to earthquakes by using distribution pipes with reinforced joints.

Other utilities across the globe need to take notice of these methods of reducing non-revenue water and implement them without delay.

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