Designing An Action Plan to Control NRW Presented at the Utilities EA Conference in Kampala George Okol (Chief Manager Commercial & Customer Services) Mubbala Timothy (Non Revenue Water Manager)
Introduction NRW is the difference between volume of water delivered to the distribution system and the volume of water sold expressed as a % of water delivered NRW is composed of Commercial losses, physical losses and unbilled Authorized consumption In African Cities NRW stands at 60% on average, the lowest being 20% and the highest being 70%. The biggest challenge is the limited knowledge on NRW and the absence of resources to invest in NRW reduction.
NRW Findings The global volume of non-revenue water (NRW) is staggering In many low-income countries (50-70%). Each year billions m3 of treated water are lost through leakages and additional billions m3 per are delivered to customers but not invoiced because of theft, poor metering, or corruption A conservative estimate of the total annual cost to water utilities worldwide is US$14 billion. Saving just half of this amount would supply water to an additional 100 million people without further investment
Action on NRW A lot of effort to promote new concepts and methods in the reduction of NRW ; very often it continues to Increase Shows improving definitions and concepts not sufficient Causes of Failure need to investigated in depth at the stage of Action Planning and Implementation and a more systematic approach be developed Any Action Plan needs to be considered under three dimensions both at design and Implementation: Operational Dimension Project Management Dimension Change Management Dimension
Definitions. NRW is the difference between volume of water delivered to the distribution system and the volume of water sold expressed as a % of water delivered Authorized Consumption Billed Authorized Consumption Unbilled Authorized Consumption Billed Metered Consumption Billed Unmetered Consumption Unbilled Metered Consumption Unbilled Unmetered Consumption Revenue Water System Input Volume Water Losses Commercial Losses Unauthorized Consumption Customer Metering Inaccuracies and Data Handling Errors Leakage on Transmission and/or Distribution Mains Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Physical Losses Leakage and Overflows at Utility s Storage Tanks Leakage on Service Connections up to Point of Customer Use
Definitions. An Action Plan is a sequence of steps that must be taken or activities that must be performed well, in order to a achieve a given goal. Action planning is a process which helps an organization to focus ideas and to decide what steps should be taken to achieve particular goals
Definitions Action Planning involves Identifying objectives Setting objectives which are achievable and measurable Prioritizing tasks Identifying the steps needed to achieve specific goals Setting milestones / Time horizon Specific tasks Responsibilities and Resource allocation
NRW Reduction Action Planning 5 Step Action Planning Model 1. Where am I now? review achievements & under take self assessment 2. Where do I want to be? Decide your goals 3. How do I get there? Define Strategy and break down goal to smaller discrete steps to be taken in order to achieve target 4. Taking Action - Nitty gritty where you implement your plan 5. Where am I now? the cycle begins again
NRW Reduction Action Planning 1. Self Assessment
NRW Reduction Action Planning Capacity Building/ awareness System Input Volume 1.0 Accurate computation of system in put Volume Billed Metered Consumption Billed Unmetered Consumption Unbilled Metered Consumption Unbilled Unmetered Consumption Unauthorized Consumption Customer Metering Inaccuracies and Data Handling Errors Leakage on Transmission and/or Distribution Mains Leakage and Overflows at Utility s Storage Tanks Leakage on Service Connections up to Point of Customer Use Revenue Water 2.0 Determination of Revenue Water Non-Revenue Water (NRW) 3.0 Determination of NRW 4.0 Understanding & quantification of NRW Contributors 5.0 NRW Reduction Best and suitable Practices
NRW Reduction Action Planning 2. Setting Goals Steps
NRW Reduction Action Planning Steps 3. How to get there the action Plan Each of the 13 issues considered in the self assessment matrix should be taken care of Develop Actions and Milestones. 4. Taking Action The action plan should consider short, mid and long term strategies One of the non technical but rater administrative consideration is that of rewarding performance & penalizing non performance. 5. Where am I now? Monitor Progress and Results
Challenges Limited Understanding of NRW Management by stake holders Resource allocation (human & Financial) is often inappropriate if any Water theft due to the morals/ culture of the consumers Post payment coupled with the culture of the customers leads to growth of arrears Effective measurement of production is a challenge in most utilities Political pressure is more on the growth in geographical coverage as compared to the quality of service Partial Implementation of the Plan leaving out some components
Thank You