Evaluation of Non-revenue Water Management: a Case Study of Lodwar Water Supply in Lodwar Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Unchecked Non-revenue water (NRW) hurt the efficiency of water utilities, rendering some, unviable. NRW is a major concern for utilities serving arid regions. For Lodwar Town, NRW stood at 52% in the year 2020 (WaSREB, 2020) implying that over half of the water put out for distribution was not billed. This research was a causal study conducted between May 2022 and April 2024 to establish availability of NRW mitigation methods, strategies and policies; and the impact of NRW on the efficiency, among others. NRW management requires both utility and consumer efforts; therefore, a statistical analysis of feedback to questionnaires administered via online data kit to Staff, alongside 386 consumers were made. A non-quantitative audit of the utility was conducted for validation of statistical findings. Lodwar Water Supply lacks strategies and policies for minimizing NRW. One sided p –value < 0.001 less than 0.05; α – value = 0.05 Table 4-2. No measures are in place to ensure employee awareness with respect to non-revenue water at Lodwar water supply. One sided p –value < 0.001 less than 0.05; α – value = 0.05 Table 4-3. The utility also lacks assessment methods for NRW contributors. One sided p –value < 0.001 less than 0.05; α – value = 0.05 Table 4-4. Results of Chi-square test of association indicated a significant association between NRW and poor performance X2 (10, 386) = 30.906, p <0.01 hence nonrevenue water adversely impacts the utility performance. The non-quantitative utility audit arrived at “non-existent” ideal practices on water balance estimation, metering, active leakage control, consumer water efficiency campaigns and staff capacity development thus validating prior statistical findings. Lodwar Water Supply lacks appropriate methods, policies and strategies to address the NRW challenge it’s confronted with. The utility is presented with an opportunity to adopt Active Leakage Control, Flow Metering, and Water theft control as foundational measures in curbing NRW.