ROLE OBJECTIVE Develop and execute a national-scale strategy to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) across the assigned projects by setting targets and governance. Manage and lead solutions to categorize losses into Unbilled Authorized Consumption, Apparent Losses (Commercial), and Real Losses (Physical).
RESPONSIBILITIESNRW Baseline, Targeting, and Benefits Ownership Build and maintain the NRW baseline (water balance, loss components, confidence grading, and data improvement plan). Do water balance calculations by using the International Water Association (IWA) standard to categorize water use into billed, unbilled, authorized, and unauthorized categories.
DMA Rollout, Commissioning, and Integrity Design and implement District Metered Areas (DMAs), small, isolated sectors of the pipe network where flow can be measured precisely. Implements Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) to extend the life of the pipes and reduce burst rates. Oversee teams using acoustic loggers, ground microphones, and helium tracing to find "invisible" underground leaks.
Active Leakage Control (ALC) and Field Execution Plan and execute leakage operations: screening, pinpointing, repair coordination, and post-repair verification. Set and manage productivity norms (survey coverage/day, find-rate, pinpoint accuracy) and enforce QA to prevent rework. Manage backlog rules with severity-based response times and tight closure discipline.
Data, Reporting, and Decision Support Ensure accurate field and system data capture (GIS tags, leak type, pipe attributes, PRV settings, repair outcomes). Recommend and implement IoT sensors, SCADA systems, and "Smart Meters" (AMI/AMR) for real-time monitoring. Produce actionable dashboards and reports: zone scorecards, DMA health, leakage backlog, PRV stability, and benefits tracker. Train local utility staff on how to maintain the systems once the SME’s contract ends. Communicate clear cause-and-effect: what was done, what changed, and what savings are sustained.
Key Deliverables DMA standards plus commissioning and integrity checklist, with stabilization and acceptance criteria. Pressure management/PRV operating plan (setpoints, control philosophy, alarms, and performance trends). The Annual Water Balance Report: A comprehensive breakdown based on the IWA/AWWA standard, detailing Authorized Consumption vs. Water Losses (Real and Apparent). NRW Diagnostic Report: An analysis of the current situation, identifying the "root causes" of loss (e.g., aging infrastructure, billing errors, or low meter accuracy). Leak Detection Summary Reports: Documentation of all identified leaks, their estimated flow rates, and confirmation of their repair. Meter Accuracy Audit: A statistical analysis of the existing meter fleet, showing under-registration rates and a recommended Meter Replacement Strategy.
ROLE SPECIFICATIONS Qualification Bachelor’s degree in civil/water/environmental engineering (or equivalent practical experience). Strong command of NRW fundamentals: water balance, DMAs, MNF, active leakage control, and pressure management. Demonstrated ability to lead both field operations and program governance. Experience7–12 years with strong leakage/pressure field leadership and measurable NRW outcomes. Experience in designing and commissioning at least 5–10 District Metered Areas from scratch. At least 3–4 years of experience managing field crews (leak hunters) and data analysts. Experience with Performance-Based Contracts (PBCs), where the expert’s payment is tied to the actual volume of water saved. Skills GIS (Arc GIS/QGIS) and strong field data discipline (GPS accuracy, asset attributes, evidence capture). Hydraulic modeling exposure (EPANET/Water GEMS/Info Water) and the ability to interpret pressure/flow behavior. SCADA/telemetry trend analysis; dashboarding (Power BI/Excel) and work order/CMMS usage. Field-to-benefit thinking: can translate MNF and pressure trends into concrete field actions and verified outcomes. DMA commissioning excellence: avoids false boundaries and ensures stable, auditable district performance. Pressure management discipline: selects appropriate PRV control philosophy and monitors stability to reduce bursts. Contractor governance: sets clear standards, enforces QA/HSE, and drives recoveries when performance slips. Evidence-based communication: reports outcomes transparently with data quality checks and verification logic.
The holder may be required to undertake additional duties, which may be reasonably expected and form part of the functionof the job.