- Every December 4, Water Loss Day is observed as a day to raise awareness about the global impact of water losses in distribution networks and to promote concrete actions to reduce non-revenue water.
Each year, millions of cubic meters of drinking water are lost before reaching end users. These losses, known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW), represent a silent yet critical threat to the sustainability of water supply systems. Promoted by the International Water Association (IWA), Water Loss Day aims to bring global attention to this issue and to encourage the adoption of effective solutions worldwide.
According to IWA estimates, more than 120 billion cubic meters of drinking water are lost every year due to leaks, pipe bursts, metering errors, fraud, and other causes (IWA, 2019). These figures not only translate into economic losses worth billions of dollars but also place unnecessary pressure on already limited water resources, particularly in regions affected by water stress and climate change. It is estimated that the volume of water lost daily could supply more than 200 million people.
This alarming data highlights a harsh reality: between 25% and 50% of distributed water globally is never billed, it is simply lost or unaccounted for.
In addition to the quantitative losses, aging infrastructure, lack of preventive maintenance, outdated metering systems, and deficient management practices increase the risk of leaks, bursts, and recurring losses. Real losses often stem from joint failures, internal corrosion, or faulty connections, while apparent losses are frequently associated with metering inaccuracies, unauthorized consumption, or meter tampering.
Water Loss Day: A turning point for the water sector
Water Loss Day has become a key milestone to mobilize the global water sector around the challenge of water losses. Beyond raising awareness, this date presents an opportunity to share best practices, strengthen technical capacity, and accelerate the implementation of solutions that support more efficient, equitable, and sustainable water management.
The day was established in 2019 by the Water Loss Specialist Group of the International Water Association (IWA), with the goal of highlighting the scale of water losses in distribution systems and the urgent need for decisive action to address them.
How Aganova contributes to reducing water losses
In this context, Aganova stands out as a leading player in the development and implementation of technological solutions for the detection, analysis, and mitigation of water losses in distribution networks. Its approach combines expertise, innovation, and adaptability to the specific conditions of each system.
Key areas of action include:
- Advanced network diagnostics using non-invasive inspection systems and specialized sensors.
- Early detection of invisible leaks, minimizing intervention times and associated costs.
- Smart monitoring of pressure and anomalous behaviors in real time.
- Comprehensive NRW reduction projects, tailored to the technical and operational needs of each system.
Water losses are neither minor nor inevitable. They pose a real challenge to water security, environmental sustainability, and the financial viability of water utilities. Addressing them requires technology, institutional commitment, and international collaboration.
In this spirit, Aganova confirms its participation in Water Loss 2026, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, alongside its local partner Effico. This international event will be a key opportunity to share knowledge, present success stories, and continue building solutions to one of the water sector’s most pressing challenges.
On Water Loss Day—and every day of the year—Aganova works toward a future where every drop counts, providing technology, expertise, and commitment to build more resilient water networks and ensure equitable access to water for all.
Learn more about our solutions at aganova.com.
