Advancing Water Loss Control Across the NWPA Region

Adopted this past spring, the Northwest Water Planning Alliance (NWPA) Water Supply Sustainability Plan (WSSP) outlines strategies to address water supply challenges. One strategy emphasized in the WSSP is water loss control, which can be used to extend water supplies, lower costs, and improve system reliability. The plan urges communities to strengthen water loss control through voluntary measures such as regular water audits, loss prevention programs, and leak detection.

Why It Matters
According to Bluefield Research, an estimated one in five gallons of treated water is lost before reaching water customers. Within the Northwest Water Planning Alliance (NWPA) region, this equates to roughly 26 million gallons per day. These losses represent not only wasted water but also reduced utility revenue. Addressing water loss is a foundational practice that improves system performance and helps utilities make the most of existing supplies before investing in costly new water supply sources. This is particularly critical as many communities in the NWPA region face rising demand and growing stress on groundwater aquifers. Reducing water loss will help close the region’s supply–demand gap and support long-term groundwater sustainability.

Regional Examples of Water Loss Control
Across the Northwest Water Planning Alliance region, communities are taking action to reduce water loss through audits, infrastructure upgrades, and technology improvements. Their efforts highlight tools and strategies that other utilities in the region can adopt to achieve similar results. Additional case studies are available in the NWPA WSSP.

Using Audits to Identify and Reduce System Losses
Using water audits provides water suppliers with information on where and how water is being lost, helping to prioritize repairs and achieve system efficiency. The Village of Algonquin conducted a water loss audit, finding water losses typical for systems of its size, about 188 million gallons per year. Based on audit recommendations, the Village enhanced leak detection, meter testing, and data quality tracking. Utilities can take similar steps by using AWWA Free Water Audit Software and the AWWA M36 Manual to assess water loss, track trends, and identify system improvements.

Integrating Water Loss Control into Capital Planning
Integrating water loss control into long-term planning ensures that leak prevention and infrastructure renewal are incorporated into routine investment decisions. The City of Elgin, Illinois, has integrated water loss prevention into its water system master plan and  lead service line replacement program. Repairing, renewing, or replacing pipes from main to meter helps reduce leaks while improving safety and compliance. Communities can use Elgin’s approach as a model by incorporating water loss control into capital improvement planning and exploring funding sources for lead service line replacement.

Modernizing Meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Upgrading to AMI improves accuracy, enables early leak detection, and provides real-time data that can be used to engage customers in water conservation.  Crystal Lake replaced aging residential and commercial water meters with automated metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve accuracy, detect leaks faster, and increase efficiency. The  project will allow real-time tracking of water usage and leaks, benefiting both customers and utility staff. Utilities interested in AMI can review EPA’s AMI overview to learn more.

Moving forward
While several NWPA communities have implemented water loss control measures,  if the region resembles the rest of the nation, opportunities remain. Assessing progress is challenging because Illinois lacks a centralized water loss data system. The exception is the Lake Michigan Water Allocation Program, which requires permittees to conduct annual water audits and makes those results publicly available.

In addition to encouraging voluntary actions like those outlined in the NWPA WSSP, a growing number of entities are requiring annual water auditing using the AWWA M36 Manual method. For example, Georgia established one of the first statewide mandatory water audit programs in the United States, pairing requirements with technical assistance and funding to build smaller system capacity. Similarly, Indiana requires all water utilities to complete a validated AWWA M36 audit.

In the absence of similar water auditing requirements, Illinois communities that do not rely on Lake Michigan water lack a clear policy driver for water loss control, leaving progress largely dependent on voluntary action. While regional case studies show that meaningful progress is possible, sustained program implementation, regional coordination, and continued investment are essential to achieving the NWPA’s long-term water sustainability goals.