Water sector seeks solutions to cut water losses
Water and sanitation stakeholders are exploring new ways to help water service providers tackle operational challenges and improve their financial performance as utilities face increasing pressure to deliver reliable services.
The issue featured prominently during a consultative meeting between Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Njaramba and Water Sector Trust Fund (WaterFund) CEO Willis Ombai. The two discussed opportunities available to water service providers, with a focus on innovative technologies and solutions that can help reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW).
NRW refers to water that enters a distribution system but does not result in revenue for a utility. Losses can occur through leakages, inaccurate metering, illegal connections and other inefficiencies within supply networks. Addressing these challenges can help providers make better use of water already available within their systems.
The meeting comes at a time when water utilities are under pressure to maintain infrastructure, meet operating costs and expand services to growing populations. Improving the management of existing systems could provide utilities with an opportunity to increase efficiency without relying solely on new water sources.
Technology is expected to play an important role in this process. Digital monitoring systems, improved metering and other innovative tools can help providers identify problems within distribution networks and make informed decisions about where interventions are most needed.
However, adopting such solutions requires investment. Sustainable financing was therefore identified as an important element in enabling water service providers to modernise infrastructure and introduce technologies that can improve their operations.
For utilities, successfully reducing water losses could have a direct impact on revenue generation. Additional income could strengthen their ability to maintain infrastructure, improve services and invest in projects that extend access to water.
The discussions also point to the importance of collaboration within the water sector. Water service providers require access not only to technology, but also to appropriate financing, expertise and institutional support to implement solutions effectively.
WASPA’s role in representing water and sanitation providers provides a platform for highlighting the operational needs of utilities and connecting them with potential solutions. WaterFund, meanwhile, provides an important avenue for exploring financing opportunities that can support improvements across the sector.
The discussions between the two organisations underscore the need for water providers to adopt approaches that improve the performance of existing systems while preparing utilities for future demand.With financial sustainability becoming increasingly important, efforts to control water losses could help utilities strengthen their revenue base and improve the reliability of services. Continued collaboration among sector institutions, technology providers and financing partners will be essential in turning these opportunities into practical solutions for water service providers and the communities they serve.
