Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and Water losses are among the key challenges faced by water utilities, particularly in a context where infrastructure is under increasing pressure and there is a growing need to use available water resources more efficiently.
These issues will be at the heart of WaterLoss Asia 2026, the tenth edition of the international event organised by PROTEMP Exhibitions & Conferences and supported by the International Water Association (IWA). The event will take place from 20 to 22 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).
ISOIL Industria will be exhibiting at the event together with our local distributor HSA ASIA, showcasing solutions for flow measurement, network monitoring and data management to support NRW reduction.
We look forward to meeting you at Tun Dr Ismail Hall, Stand 17
What is Non-Revenue Water (NRW)?
Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is the volume of water supplied to a water distribution network that does not generate revenue for the utility because it does not reach the end customer or is not billed.
According to the standard water balance developed by the International Water Association (IWA), NRW is divided into three components:
- Unbilled authorised consumption — water legitimately distributed but not billed, for example for firefighting or public institutions.
- Apparent losses — water delivered but not correctly accounted for due to meter inaccuracies, unauthorised connections or billing data errors.
- Real losses — water physically lost through pipe breaks and leaks in pipelines, tanks and service connections, up to the customer meter.
The global impact of NRW
Available estimates place NRW at between 25% and 50% of water supplied to distribution networks worldwide, with levels of up to 75% in some emerging markets.
According to the World Bank, approximately 45 million cubic metres of water are lost every day in developing countries, representing an estimated economic value of more than USD 3 billion per year.
Key strategies for NRW reduction
NRW management and reduction generally rely on four complementary principles:
- Active leakage control — proactively identifying leaks before they become visible at the surface.
- Pressure management — reducing and stabilising network pressure to limit background leakage.
- Infrastructure management — maintaining, renewing and selectively replacing the most critical assets.
- Speed of repair — reducing the time between the identification and repair of detected leaks.
A widely adopted practice supporting these strategies is the division of the network into District Metered Areas (DMAs), hydraulically isolated areas equipped with dedicated flow measurement. DMAs make it possible to identify areas with higher NRW levels more quickly — a process in which flow measurement plays a direct role.
Active leakage control, pressure management, infrastructure management, speed of repair… These are just some of the key topics in the water sector that will be at the centre of WaterLoss Asia 2026.
WaterLoss Asia 2026: “Securing Asia’s Water Future: innovating for reduced Water loss and Non-Revenue Water”
The theme “Securing Asia’s Water Future: Innovating for Reduced Water Loss and Non-Revenue Water” will be the focus of WaterLoss Asia 2026.
The programme includes two days of conference sessions and exhibition on 20 and 21 October, followed by a day of technical workshops dedicated to Non-Revenue Water on 22 October.
Eight thematic tracks will be explored:
- Leakage Detection, Control & Pressure Management
- Asset Management & Infrastructure Renewal
- Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Auditing, Performance & Water Balance
- Digital Water, Artificial Intelligence & Smart Network Optimisation
- Sustainable Water Management & Climate Resilience
- Utility Leadership, Innovation & Best Practices
- Pressure Management Strategies
- Innovative Financing Mechanisms
The programme reflects a multidisciplinary approach to water loss management, in which measurement and detection technologies, data analysis, pressure management and asset management contribute to the development of more effective strategies for water loss reduction.
The 2026 edition will also introduce the NextWave Innovation Awards 2026, recognising significant innovations in the water sector, with on-site judging taking place on 20 October and the awards ceremony held during the event.
An international event for water sector professionals
WaterLoss Asia brings together water utilities, technology providers, experts, institutions and water sector professionals from across Asia and other international markets.
The figures from the previous edition illustrate the scale the event has reached: 415 international delegates from 21 countries attended the conference, alongside 53 local and international speakers, while the exhibition attracted 4,175 visitors.
The event therefore provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge not only on leak detection technologies, but also on the management models and strategies needed to improve network performance over time — from operational water loss management to the strategic planning of infrastructure investments.
ISOIL Industria at WaterLoss Asia 2026
ISOIL Industria is bringing to Kuala Lumpur its expertise in flow measurement, network monitoring and data management for water loss management.
Our participation in the event will provide an opportunity to meet utilities, designers, consultants, technology providers and professionals from different international markets and exchange views on the needs driving the evolution of the water sector.
We look forward to meeting you there!
Frequently asked questions
What is Non-Revenue Water (NRW)?
It is the volume of water supplied to a distribution network that does not generate revenue for the utility due to real losses, apparent losses (e.g. measurement errors) or unbilled consumption.
How much NRW do water networks lose on average worldwide?
IWA estimates indicate a range of 25% to 50% of water supplied to distribution networks, with levels of up to 75% in some emerging markets.
What is a District Metered Area (DMA)?
It is a hydraulically isolated area of a water distribution network equipped with dedicated flow measurement, used to identify areas with higher levels of NRW more quickly.
When will WaterLoss Asia 2026 take place?
From 20 to 22 October 2026, at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) in Malaysia.
Who will attend WaterLoss Asia 2026?
Water utilities, government agencies, regulatory bodies, technology providers, researchers, consultants and water sector professionals, mainly from Asia and other international markets.
What topics are covered by the conference programme?
The programme covers eight thematic tracks, including leakage detection and pressure management, asset management and infrastructure renewal, NRW auditing, digital water and artificial intelligence applied to water networks, sustainability and climate resilience.
