What is leakage detection and its impact on non-revenue water (NRW)?

• A. Installing more pipes to increase water flow.
• B. Only measuring overall consumption.
• C. Leakage detection is not related to NRW.
• D. Process of identifying and repairing leaks in the distribution system; reduces water losses and improves efficiency.

Answer: (D)

Leakage detection is the process of locating leaks in the water distribution network and determining where they are and how big they are so they can be repaired. This matters for non-revenue water because NRW equals water that is lost before it reaches customers (physical losses) plus other losses like metering errors or unauthorized use. When leaks are found and fixed promptly, physical losses drop, the system becomes more efficient, and the amount of water that is lost and not billed decreases, which lowers NRW and helps save both water and revenue.

The other ideas don’t fit as well. Installing more pipes doesn’t address existing leaks or losses; simply measuring total consumption doesn’t tell you where leaks are; and saying leakage detection isn’t related to NRW ignores the direct connection between leaks and non-revenue water.