Reducing Non-Revenue Water in Laos: a work visit to Luang Namtha Province

Laos team analysing GIS data at the office. 

Developing the Lao PDR NRW Manual

The first week of the visit was dedicated to drafting a Non-Revenue Water Manual tailored for Lao PDR. To ensure its relevance and effectiveness, we invited NRW staff from seven different Lao water utilities. These participants are all members of the Lao Water Works Association (LWWA) sub-committee on NRW. Our goal is to create a manual designed by Lao NRW staff for Lao NRW staff, following the same proven countrywide approach as our GIS capacity-building track. By standardising procedures, this manual ensures that NRW reduction efforts remain consistent, effective, and accessible across utilities, empowering our local partners with clear, structured guidance.

Once completed, the manual will be distributed nationwide through the Lao Water Works Association (LWWA) platform using our train-the-trainer model. This approach not only embeds NRW best practices across the country but also strengthens long-term collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the sector.

Fieldwork with the Provincial Public Water Utility Luang Namtha

The second part of our visit involved hands-on activities with PNP Luang Namtha. Over the past few years, we have worked together on GIS integration, establishing District Metered Areas (DMAs), and conducting water balances for each service area to identify zones with high NRW. This time, we focused on conducting the step test, aiming to gain insights into physical losses and prioritise smaller areas for leak detection. We carried out step tests in four districts: Muang Long, Muang Sing, Vieng Phouka, and Luang Namtha.

The visits took place in the northern part of Laos

Step testing: a hands-on approach

For each step test, we followed a structured process:

1. Preparation: We started in the office, creating sub-DMAs based on GIS data and making a detailed valve closure plan.
2. Field Checks: Before execution, we checked the functioning of the valves and their locations in the field and made adjustments where necessary.

Performing field checks: finding and testing valves.

3. Night-time Testing: Using portable ultrasonic flow meters, we executed the step tests at night, systematically closing valves according to plan.

4. Analysis: The following morning, we reviewed the results with the team to determine areas requiring further leakage detection.

Night-time testing.

Results

The step tests allowed us to determine which DMAs required further leakage detection investigations.

Each district yielded different results:

• Muang Long: A larger-than-expected drop in flow indicated one obvious area for further leak detection activities.
• Muang Sing: The flow drops were as expected, suggesting this District Meter Area (DMA) is not a priority for further intervention.
• Vieng Phouka: The analysis revealed that not all sub-DMAs were properly isolated, but one area showed a significantly higher flow drop than anticipated, highlighting a key leakage zone.
• Luang Namtha: A larger-than-expected drop in flow indicated one obvious area for further leak detection activities.

Using these findings we are set to plan future investigations.

Graph: Results from the step test in Vieng Phouka

Capacity building and continuous improvement

Another result of the visit, was the PNP staff’s increasing proficiency with each test. As the work progressed, they improved their methodologies, refining data collection formats and enhancing their GIS-based plans. It was evident that previous capacity-building efforts had taken root, as district-level staff applied GIS, DMA, and water balance knowledge throughout the work.

Besides this, every lesson learned, improvement made, and new insight gained was incorporated into the developing NRW Manual. This ensures that future NRW reduction efforts in Laos will benefit from these collective experiences and best practices.

Looking ahead

This work visit reinforced the value of collaboration, hands-on training, and systematic NRW reduction strategies. As we finalize the NRW Manual and roll out the train-the-trainer program, we look forward to seeing these efforts translate into tangible water savings across Lao PDR.