Abstract
Non-revenue water (NRW), the water produced but lost before reaching consumers or that goes unbilled, poses significant challenges to municipalities globally. In the Gauteng region of South Africa, water losses account for a substantial financial burden and resource wastage. NRW management strategies have been developed to curb the water losses in the water distribution system and improve the water utility’s efficiency. However, the NRW rate remains above the best practice recommendation. This research delves into the NRW management practices in metropolitan municipalities within Gauteng, with the aim of improving their effectiveness.
Through interviews with water and sanitation department experts, this study reveals that these municipalities employ several best practices in NRW management, such as water infrastructure asset management, water metering systems and collaborative partnerships for education and awareness. However, they also face critical challenges, including financial barriers, organisational issues and technical constraints, hindering their efforts to reduce water losses effectively.
The research provides a comprehensive guideline for enhancing NRW management. As municipalities address these challenges and implement the suggested strategies, they can significantly improve the efficiency of NRW management, reduce water losses and contribute to sustainable water resource management while enhancing service delivery and reducing financial burdens on water authorities.