Smart solutions for tackling non-revenue water

Non-revenue water is a serious problem affecting water distribution systems worldwide. Why should both businesses and individuals adopt smart solutions? What benefits can be achieved by tackling this problem, and what technologies can help reduce water losses and improve the efficiency of water resource management?

According to a study conducted by the International Water Association (IWA), we lose around 346 million cubic metres of water in distribution systems every day, which amounts to 126 billion cubic metres annually. In Europe, as much as 25% of distributed water is lost or goes unaccounted for due to leaks, burst pipes, poor pressure management, unauthorised connections and other factors. These losses, classified as non-revenue water, generate costs of around USD 39 billion annually.

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is defined as the difference between the volume of water pumped into the distribution system and the volume of water billed. This refers to water that has been produced but ‘lost’ before reaching the customer.

There are three main types of non-revenue water:

1. Apparent losses (commercial losses): Caused by inaccurate meters, data processing errors and unauthorised water abstraction.

2. Authorised unmetered consumption: Water used by the utility for operational purposes, such as flushing, firefighting, and water supplied free of charge to certain consumer groups.

3. Actual losses (physical losses): Leaks from all parts of the system and overflows from storage tanks. Actual losses are caused by poor operation and maintenance, a lack of rigorous leak detection and poor infrastructure quality.

Non-revenue water is a problem that not only harms the environment through the loss of drinking water, but also generates additional costs for utilities and may affect service levels and water quality.

For example, in 2022, water consumption per capita in households in Mazovia, including Warsaw, stood at 39 m³, which is higher than the national average of 34 m³. From 12 July 2024, the price per 1 m³ of water in Warsaw is PLN 5.43, and per 1 m³ of wastewater PLN 8.29. The total cost for water and wastewater is PLN 13.72. By reducing water losses per capita by 25% as a result of NRW, it is possible to

save PLN 3.43 per month, which amounts to an annual saving of PLN 41.16 per person. The total volume of water produced and fed into the water supply system operated by MPWiK w m.st. Warszawie S.A. amounted to 127,390.4 thousand m³, of which 31,847.6 thousand m³ was ‘lost water’.

Apator Powogaz offers a range of smart solutions to combat non-revenue water. The company’s extensive range includes, for example:

1. SmartFlow: A system that collects data from sensors located throughout the city’s water supply network, analyses it and processes it. This enables an immediate response to minor faults or leaks.

2. Optimisation of the leak detection process: The smart water meter provides data 24/7, helping to narrow down the suspected area to the exact location of the leak through automatic daily water balances.

3. Smart alarms: In the event of leaks behind mechanical meters, inside the home, the smart meter automatically sends an alarm. Some leaks may be so small that worn-out mechanical meters fail to detect them.

4. Water theft: Smart water meters send real-time alerts, allowing for more effective and rapid detection of attempted theft and other irregularities.

5. Ultrasonic water meters: Installation of an ultrasonic meter, which maintains the highest accuracy and has no moving parts that could affect its service life.

6. Applications supporting water and heat management: Systems such as SPIDAP support water and heat management by offering advanced resource monitoring and management technologies.

It is worth taking a look at how effectively Apator Powogaz’s solutions have been applied and what tangible benefits the fight against non-revenue water has brought.

In Gdańsk, Apator Powogaz has implemented the SmartFlow system, which collects data from sensors located throughout the city’s water supply network. Thanks to this system, it is possible to respond immediately to minor faults or leaks. As a result, the city of Gdańsk has reduced water losses by 15%, which translates into significant financial savings and improved efficiency in water resource management.

In Warsaw, Apator Powogaz has installed water meters that provide data 24/7 and help narrow down the suspected area to the exact location of the leak. Thanks to automatic daily water balances, the city was able to quickly detect and repair leaks, resulting in a 20% reduction in water losses.

In Poznań, Apator Powogaz has implemented a remote reading system that enables real-time monitoring of water consumption. This system automatically sends alerts in the event of a leak or damage to the plumbing inside a home. As a result, residents of Poznań were able to respond quickly to faults, which contributed to a 10% reduction in water losses.

Non-revenue water is a problem that can be effectively solved using modern technologies. The implementation of smart solutions benefits both businesses and individuals, leading to significant savings and improved efficiency in water resource management.