WATERLOSS project: developing from theory to practice an integrated approach towards NRW reduction in urban water systems

Abstract

Today almost all Mediterranean countries are facing significant water scarcity problems; therefore, water losses in drinking water supply networks have grown to an urgent problem, requiring the implementation of immediate measures to address them. WATERLOSS project developed an integrated methodology to efficiently address the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) problem. The methodology consisted of the evaluation of the water distribution systems using the second modified Water Balance methodology and the development of a database of Performance Indicators including existing and new ones. NRW reduction measures were developed tackling each NRW component. All components were integrated in a decision support system (DSS) where the user can enter the desired variable values and through a decision tree, the DSS tool, a list of prioritized NRW reduction measures is deduced. The performance of the DSS tool was justified by its implementation in selected pilot cases. Overall, a rational and cost efficient strategy could be developed by water authorities for addressing NRW problems only when using a targeted approach.