Reducing Nonrevenue Water in Asia
NRW Problems, Solutions, Statistics1
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The root of Asia’s NRW problem lies more in the poor governance of water utilities, rather than the failure of technology or multiple pipe leakages.
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NONREVENUE WATER IN ASIA
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NRW PROBLEMS IN A NUTSHELL
- NRW includes water not billed as a result of leakage, illegal use, inadequate measurement, and free (authorized) use.
- NRW averages 30% of production in Asian cities, but ranges from 4% to 65%.
- High NRW is connected to low piped water coverage.
- There is a need to determine whether physical losses (leakage) are maintained to mask the illegal use and sale of water.
- Illegal sale of water from utilities can generate revenue equal to legal sales.
- Consumers pay for utility inefficiencies.
- A precious and scarce resource is being wasted.
- Unnecessary investments in production are made.
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NRW SOLUTIONS IN A NUTSHELL
- Governance and tariffs must be tackled first.
- Leak detection equipment comes last, not first.
- Repair visible leaks.
- Make utility staff responsible for small zones (caretakers).
- Meter all water production and consumption properly.
- Add district metering.
- Provide incentives for utility staff performance.
- Explore links to water vendors.
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NRW IN ASIAN CITIES
In 2005, the South East Asian Water Utilities Network (SEAWUN) began a multi-phased benchmarking program that involved 47 water utilities in Southeast Asia. The results for NRW rates are as follows:
Click here to view larger image.
- The contents of this article are based on Chapter 9 of Asian Water Supplies: Reaching the Urban Poor written by Arthur McIntosh.
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