Non-Revenue Water constitutes the volume that is produced in the network but does not reach the end volume. This drastically affects the local water bodies and the economy of the area. According to the source, nearly 25% of the water that is produced in the system is never billed.
There are many reasons for NRW, like apparent losses, real losses, unbilled consumption of water, etc. It is necessary that businesses take proper steps to reduce the NRW by checking the network and keeping the produced water within the system. Here, we mention some steps that businesses must take to reduce the problem of water loss and NRW.
Steps To Reduce NRW And Water Loss
Effective Leak Recovery
The prime cause of water loss in a system is due to leaks and bursts in the pipes, valves, and other utilities. As there is a huge network interconnected with each other, finding the leaks consumes a lot of time. So, measures should be taken to aim for effective leak recovery.
Sectioning The Water Network
Businesses must cope with water loss strategically. They need to divide the full water supply into different sections named district metering areas (DMA). This technique is beneficial for getting an insight into how water is being managed under and above the ground. In this way, they can pinpoint the affected sections to come up with their master plan for managing it in no time.
Setting NRW Limit
This is the most crucial step to take appropriate action at a given time. Whenever the concerned authorities find NRW down to its acceptable limit, proper monitoring of every DMA is necessary to maintain an excellent water balance. Also, there should be an alarm to notify them about NRW reaching its unacceptable limit. It will help in finding and resolving all the incurred water losses. They can easily cover up and reach the NRW levels in a few weeks.
Monitoring And Controlling Network Pressure
DMAs (District Metering Areas) are used for measuring and managing water pressure in the entire water network. Noise loggers are also used to detect any leakages swiftly. Since higher pressure results in more loss of water, for efficient leakage management, you need to keep an eye on pressure management. It doesn't just save costs but also helps in reducing water losses. This can be done by using control valves and consuming less energy.
Using Data Effectively
Remember that water utilities always strive to provide a reliable and secure water supply. For that, the simple rule is to manage well-functioning water distribution Networks that immediately proceed in recovering water loss. With the use of smart consumer meters, measuring water consumption has become accurate and fast. They also help in lowering the non revenue water explained above. Businesses should design data-collecting sensors that must be installed to instantly impart relevant information that helps in fast responses.
Tackling Water Theft
Unauthorized water use or illegal water connections are all considered water theft and are prevalent around the globe. Businesses should develop applications and software for managing DMA structure. Once you start using the DMA structure, you will have a clear idea of the wrong water consumption zone. Besides, you need to keep monitoring hydrants so that you can grip them easily. This will enable the hydrant to share an alarm message so that you know when its cover gets opened exactly.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, businesses should focus on conducting awareness drives that showcase and explain critical water issues in the world. This will also help them become absolutely ready to meet future water needs. From sharing technical solutions to encompassing a complete holistic view of using water, large businesses and companies should work meticulously to obtain a balance in handling water. This will definitely ensure the development of a well-equipped water sector.
