Water Loss Audits
To better understand and address non-revenue water loss, the Indiana Legislature adopted IC 8-1-30.8, which obligates water utilities to complete a validated water audit every other year.
Validated Water Loss Audits are due to the IFA by August 1, 2026.
Training Information
In-person training opportunities are offered by the Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association ("IN AWWA") and the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water ("AIRW") via various conferences and workshops.
Learn about water loss basics from the "Water Loss Webinar Series for Small Systems" by the Southwest Environmental Finance Center. Recordings of the past sessions are available on their website. CEUs are not available for recorded sessions.
Not familiar with version 6.0 of the AWWA Free Water Audit Software? A recorded webinar is available to learn more about the software and the version 6.0 upgrades.
Program Documents
American Water Works Associations ("AWWA") Free Water Audit Software " version 6.0"
- Download the software here or on the AWWA's website.
- Water Research Federation's Level 1 Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual, Second Edition (this document is available with a free "Public Plus" subscription)
- Level 1 Validation Form (optional; a resource for validators)
- Certificate of Validation (required to be signed by the validator and submitted to IFA)
FAQs
- How did the Water Loss Audit Program start?
In 2015, Indiana utilities produced over 50 billion gallons of water that did not generate revenue, resulting in a loss of $54.6 million (2016 Evaluation of Indiana’s Water Utilities Report). To better understand non-revenue water, the Indiana Legislature adopted IC 8-1-30.8, which obligates water utilities to complete annual water audits. In addition, in every even-numbered year, the legislation requires water loss audits to be validated by a certified, third-party water audit validator (“Certified Validator”) and submitted to the IFA for compilation into a biennial report to the General Assembly.
- What is a water loss audit?
In general, a water loss audit is an evaluation of the amount of water a utility pumps and sells. The main benefit of doing an audit is to identify these losses so the utility may take corrective action, which often leads to financial savings. Utilities will utilize the American Water Works Association (“AWWA”) Free Water Audit Software, Version 6, which can be downloaded here and on the AWWA's website to complete the water loss audit. There is no cost to utilities to use the software.
- What is a Level 1 validated water loss audit?
A Level 1 water loss audit validation aims to identify, and appropriately correct for, inaccuracies in water loss data and audit methodology where realistic and verify the selection of correct data validity grades for the data entries. The main benefit of completing a water loss audit validation by a third-party expert or trained industry professional is to improve the accuracy of water loss audit data. The IFA will call for Certified Validators to follow the most recent Water Research Foundation’s Validation manual.
- Which utilities are obligated to participate?
A Community Water System that supplies water to its users via meters is required to complete a water audit annually.
- When are validated water loss audits due to the IFA?
Validated water loss audits are due to the IFA on August 1, 2024, and August 1 of every even-numbered year thereafter.
- What is the cost to validate a water loss audit?
The cost is set by the third-party Certified Validator. However, utilities may “self-certify” if the person serving as the Certified Validator holds an Indiana Water Loss Audit Validation certification and did not provide assistance during the water loss process to the utility being validated. In addition, utility personnel who are certified may serve as the Certified Validator for another utility’s water loss audit.
- How do I become a Certified Validator?
- Pass the Indiana Water Loss Audit Validator certification exam,
- Or possess a valid water audit validator certificate from the CA-NV AWWA or be a Qualified Water Loss Auditor in the state of Georgia.
and
- Submit a Water Loss Audit Validator Application and $250.00 fee (which covers the cost of license data management for four years) to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ("IDEM").
- Pass the Indiana Water Loss Audit Validator certification exam,
- How do I renew my Certification?
Starting in 2022, the Certification period will run from October 1 – September 30. All licenses expire on September 30, four years from the October 1 that preceded the issuance date.
To renew certification, Certified Validators are required to complete: 1) two water loss audit validations and two hours of Continuing Education Credits or 2) eight hours of Continuing Education Credits before the date of expiration.
Use the Water Loss Audit Validator Continuing Education Credit Report to submit hours to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ("IDEM").
Log into Personal Licensing with Access Indiana (https://mylicense.in.gov/eGov/index.html) to review Continuing Education Credit hours and manage your Validator certification renewal. This is the same online program that IDEM uses to manage Certified Operator licenses. If you require a registration code, please contact IDEM at capcert@idem.in.gov or 317-233-7464
Existing Validators can also review their Continuing Education Credit hours on the IDEM Drinking Water Operator Certification webpage at Continuing Education Contact Hours for Drinking Water Operators This list is updated monthly
Legislative Reports
IC 8-1-30.8 requires the IFA to complete a biennial legislative report that summarizes the submitted audit data.
Contact Information
Abbi Kuhn, Program Support Associate, abkuhn@ifa.in.gov, 463-261-6950
Evan Fall, Project Manager, efall1@ifa.in.gov, 317-232-3195
Sarah Hudson, Technical Assistance and Outreach Manager, sahudson@ifa.in.gov, 317-232-2812