Water Loss Audits

Validated Water Loss Audits are due to the IFA by August 1, 2024.

Training Information

In-person training opportunities are offered by the Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association and the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water via various conferences and workshops.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring a free, one-day in-person workshop focused on drought preparedness and water loss for water utilities in Indiana at MADE@Plainfield located at 1610 Reeves Road in Plainfield, Indiana 46188. Participants can also participate virtually via Zoom. Operator and Validator CEUs will be applied for. Click here to register and for more information.

To assess non-revenue water loss, Indiana utilities will use the American Water Works Association’s ("AWWA") Free Water Audit Software “version 6.0”, which can be downloaded here and on the AWWA's website. To learn more about the software and version 6.0 upgrades, watch this AWWA recorded webinar, “New AWWA Water Audit Software ”.

The IFA has partnered with the Southwest Environmental Finance Center to provide a series of webinars on water loss control. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Recordings of past sessions are available on their website. CEUs are not available for recorded sessions.

Session 1: Importance of Water Auditing

Session 1 will explain the big picture of water loss control for small water utilities. A water loss audit is only a part of water loss control, and alone does not reduce water loss. Therefore, systems should understand what a water loss control program includes, its benefits, and the role a water audit plays in such programs. Watch Here

Session 2: Developing a Results Oriented Water Loss Control Program

Session 2 will define the elements of a water loss control program, discuss how to establish a utility water loss control team, who to include, and how the utility can develop goals for the water loss control program. Watch Here

Session 3: Water Loss Control and the Water Audit, Including new Version 6

Session 3 will explain what the water audit is, what it reveals about a utility, what data is needed to complete the audit, where the data is entered into the audit and other types of analysis that can be completed to move beyond the audit. This session will also introduce AWWA’s Free Water Audit Software Version 6. Watch Here

Session 4: Taking Action to Address Apparent Losses

Session 4 will focus on taking action to address apparent water loss identified in the audit. In this session, we will discuss the resources and tools available for small systems to reduce apparent losses. Watch Here

Session 5: Taking Action to Address Real Losses

Session 5 will focus on taking action to address real water loss identified in the audit. In this session, we will discuss the resources and tools available for small systems to reduce real losses. Watch Here

Session 6: Mapping - the Water Loss Control and Asset Management Nexus

Water Loss Control and Asset Management go hand-in-hand; data is the common element. This session will cover how basic asset and event data collection and map visualization techniques can support your water loss control efforts, build a better picture of your infrastructure condition, and provide actionable information to guide maintenance efforts and future capital improvement projects. Watch Here

Session 7: Mapping - the Roll of Finance and Billing Staff in Water Auditing

This session will focus on billing system data typically used to complete a water audit. Accurate billing data is critical to developing an accurate picture of a utility’s loss volumes and associated values. It is, therefore, important that billing staff supporting utility water auditing have a clear picture of the data they may have to provide. This session will provide an overview of the water auditing process, audit data that billing staff are typically called upon to provide, and common errors and misconceptions that lead to inaccurate audit results. Watch Here

Program Documents

Indiana Water Loss Audit Guidance Manual, November 2021

Quick Start Instructions for the Audit, updated

Checklist for Water Audit Submittal, updated

List of Data Needed to Complete the Audit, updated

List of Indiana Certified Water Loss Audit Validators

Lead Detection: Technology and Implementation, 2^nd Edition

The Southwest Environmental Finance Center has created a Version 6.0 Water Loss Audit Procedures Template , which is an editable Word template for documenting procedures for putting the audit together. Use it this year and your future self will thank you!

AWWA Interactive Data Grading Matrix for Water Loss Audits, which is an easy-to-read listing of all the data validity questions, answers, and grades in a single document. This could be used to identify areas of improvement.

Q&A

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,
1. 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").

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 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 317-234-7430.

Validator Guidance and Forms:

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

Certificate of Validation

Validator Certification Application and CEU Forms:

Water Loss Audit Validator Application

Water Loss Audit Validator License Renewal Guidance

Water Loss Audit Validator Continuing Education Credit Report

Application for Approval of Continuing Education Training

CEU Approval Guidance