Every day, billions of gallons of treated water are lost before reaching users. This phenomenon, known as nonrevenue water (NRW), stems from aging infrastructure, inefficient pressure management and outdated operational practices.
According to Bluefield Research, nearly 19.5% of treated drinking water in the U.S. is lost before it reaches users or is improperly billed. That equates to 6.75 billion gallons daily, costing utilities more than $6.4 billion annually in uncaptured revenue. With water main breaks occurring every two minutes and some systems still relying on infrastructure laid in the 19th century, municipalities are under pressure to modernize.
Traditional Approaches to Water Management & Loss Recovery
Historically, water loss recovery has relied on reactive maintenance and broad infrastructure replacement. Utilities often replaced pipes based on age rather than condition, leading to inefficient use of capital and missed opportunities for targeted intervention.
To improve outcomes, many municipalities have adopted structured frameworks like the effective utility management (EUM) model, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and leading water associations. EUM emphasizes ten attributes of a well-managed utility, including operational optimization, infrastructure strategy and water resource sustainability.
In practice, water loss control programs typically follow a three-step cycle:
1. Water audits: Quantify losses and identify inefficiencies.
2. Intervention: Implement leak detection, metering upgrades and pressure management.
3. Evaluation: Assess performance and guide future improvements.
Technologies such as district metered areas (DMAs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems have helped utilities segment networks, monitor flow and detect anomalies. However, many systems still struggle with real-time responsiveness and predictive capabilities—especially in smaller municipalities with limited budgets and technical capacity.
Municipal Concerns
- Aging infrastructure: The U.S. water distribution network spans over 2.2 million miles, much of it decades old.
- Financial constraints: Smaller utilities often report water losses above 20%, compared to 16.7% for larger systems.
- Regulatory pressure: Federal and state agencies are pushing for greater accountability and efficiency, but fragmented policies make compliance challenging.
- Operational inefficiencies: Many utilities still rely on manual processes and outdated assumptions.
- Public health and trust: Water loss can lead to contamination risks and service disruptions, eroding public confidence.
The Role & Benefits of Pressure Management
Traditional pressure management in water utilities has typically focused on reducing pressure at key points—often at the outlet of booster pumping stations or through pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), nightline pressure reductions, manual zoning and valve controls—to minimize leaks and bursts. While this approach can yield immediate benefits, it often overlooks the broader dynamics of the distribution network, such as fluctuating demand, variable topography and the need for consistent service at the user’s tap.
Pressure management is a proven, cost-effective strategy for reducing water loss and extending asset life.
Recent studies show that even a modest reduction in average pressure (e.g., 10%) can yield a 10%-25% reduction in annual leakage.
Distribution Network Optimization: A Broader Approach
Distribution network optimization integrates advanced monitoring, control and automation to deliver multiple
benefits including:
- Energy efficiency: By dynamically adjusting pump operation and pressure setpoints based on real-time demand and network conditions, utilities can reduce energy consumption. Since pumping accounts for up to 90% of energy use in water distribution, optimizing this process is crucial for both cost savings and sustainability.
- Targeted pressure control: It matters where pressure is managed. Modern solutions enable utilities to control and stabilize pressure at critical points throughout the network—not just at the pumping station outlet. This ensures all end users receive consistent, reliable service, even as demand fluctuates or network conditions change.
- Enhanced user experience: By maintaining stable pressure at the point of use, utilities can minimize disruptions, protect user plumbing and appliances and reduce complaints related to pressure variability.
- Asset life extension: Optimized advanced pressure management reduces the frequency and severity
of bursts, extending the life of pipes and other infrastructure and deferring costly renewals. - Data-driven decision making: Advanced digital tools provide actionable insights, allowing utilities to prioritize interventions, predict maintenance needs and continuously improve network performance.
Why Consistency at the End User Matters
Traditional methods often achieve pressure consistency only at the pumping station outlet, leaving downstream users vulnerable to fluctuations caused by elevation changes, varying demand or network events. Distribution network optimization uses sensors, smart controllers and adaptive algorithms to maintain consistent pressure at the user’s connection—delivering a higher standard of service and reducing the risk of both under- and over-pressurization.
Energy Efficiency: The Pumping Perspective
Energy is the second-highest operating cost for most water utilities. Distribution network optimization and meeting the needed pressure at critical pressure duty points directly reduces energy consumption by minimizing excess pressurization and optimizing booster pump stations’ operation. Modern pump systems, when integrated with digital controls, can adapt to real-time network needs, further enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Operation & Maintenance
Strategic pressure management allows utilities to prioritize investments, target high-risk zones and extend the life of existing infrastructure. By reducing burst frequency and leak flow rates, utilities can defer costly pipe renewals and focus resources where they are most needed.
Challenges & Opportunities
Widespread adoption of advanced pressure management and network optimization faces challenges, including funding, regulatory support and awareness. Regulatory incentives and robust business cases are needed to accelerate implementation, especially in water-scarce regions/areas.
Distribution network optimization offers financial, operational and community benefits for water utilities. As the challenges of aging infrastructure, rising costs and regulatory demands intensify, optimizing network pressures is not just a beneficial strategy—it is a necessity for sustainable water management.
