A considerable proportion of water utilities around the world face significant water losses from their distribution networks. To address this challenge, 400 leading global water professionals gathered today in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the International Water Association (IWA) Water Loss 2010 conference.
In recognition of the international relevance and importance of managing water loss and the major advances made over the past decade by the IWA Water Loss Task Force, the association is launching the IWA Specialist Group on Water Loss in Sao Paolo.
“In order to reduce water losses and future water demand, the specialist group will continue to develop strategies to manage water loss and make the results of its work available to stakeholders, including water industry governance groups, utilities and employees, associated individuals and companies, and community representatives at all levels of government," says Tim Waldron of Wide Bay Water, Australia, the interim chair of the group.
Paul Reiter, IWA executive director, observes, “Substantial financial, energy and environmental gains can be had from improved non-revenue water management in both developed and developing countries. It is one of the most important issues facing the sector today. Therefore IWA is pleased to provide increased support for the development of effective water loss reduction strategies.”
In its report on reducing non-revenue water in developing countries, The World Bank estimates that 32 billion cubic meters of treated water leaks from networks each year, half in developing countries. The cost of leaks, in reduced revenues and increased operational costs, is estimated at $14 billion annually. According to the report, a 50 percent reduction in non-revenue water would save enough water to provide eight billion cubic meters to service customers as well as supply water to 90 million more people.
Water Loss 2010 is the sixth in a series of speciality conferences organized by the IWA Water Loss Task Force. This year, to address the pressing need to improve water efficiency in the region, the event was held in South America. It hosted and co-organised by SABESP, the utility that provides water and sanitation services for 60 percent of the Sao Paolo State.
The next global IWA meeting on Water Loss will be Sept. 19-24 at the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Montreal, Que. For more information please visit www.iwa2010montreal.org.
