A Water Management System for Reducing Non-Revenue Water in Potable Water Lines: The Case of Sri Lanka

Abstract

In every country, a significant quantity of water is lost from the distribution system before it could be billed. This water named as non-revenue water (NRW) reduces considerably the revenue earned by the utility by selling treated water. Thus, this research aimed to propose a cost effective management system for the non-revenue water lost from the water distribution system in Sri Lanka. The research used a quantitative approach. A questionnaire survey was carried out to identify the severity of each type of water loss. The data collected were analysed to categorize under four main groups the causes that produce non-revenue water in the distribution systems: distribution line leaks, administrative errors, illegal water usage and free water supply. Finally, a cost effective management model was developed outlining the strategies that could be adopted to prevent the different types of water losses. The cost effectiveness of investing in non-revenue water reduction in the water distribution system in Sri Lanka was determined by referring to archival records. The cost effective model developed would be useful in long-term planning to significantly reduce the water lost from the distribution systems in the country.

Water Scarcity – A Concealed Phenomenon in Sri Lanka: A Mini Review

“…At the beginning of the 21st century, Colombo, Sri Lanka, had the second highest Non-Revenue Water (NRW) percentage among Asian cities, but it reduced from 52 to 46% from 2010 to 2016. NRW in Sri Lanka could aggravate the water scarcity in Sri Lanka and is due to (a) leaks in the distribution systems (73% out of total NRW), (b) inefficiency in the administrative process, (c) illegal water tapping, and (d) free water supply (Perera et al, 2018; Mclntosh, 2003; NRW Specialists Pty Ltd., 2014).…”

“…Palamakumbure et al (2020) 57 projected a 0.1−0.2 m rise in sea level during the next 50 years in Sri Lanka and predicted less than 1.8 m inundation toward the inland. Perera et al (2018) 39 identified that the loss of agricultural productivity among coastal communities due to SLR is unbearable. Therefore, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to climate change-induced water scarcity and needs the necessities to mitigate the situation.…”

Opening the Black Box of Water Conservation Behavior: Holistic Perspective of a Developing Country

“…Unfortunately, In Pakistan piping system installed is very old and water is lost through this aging infrastructure (Siegmann and Shezad, 2006;Bank, 2013). And due to these losses revenue to the water service supplier is also lost (Perera et al, 2018). Leakage and breaches in pipework allow water to escape.…”

Dynamic analysis of non-revenue water in district metered areas under varying water consumption conditions owing to COVID-19

“…Colombo City, the capital of Sri Lanka, had an annual average NRW of 40 % in 2020 [ 25 ], which was higher than the average NRW of 35 % in 44 developing counties [ 26 ]. Thus, the ( ) funded the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program (GCWWMIIP) in 2013 to reduce below 18 % by 2020 [ 27 ].…”