Assessment of Non-revenue Water and Selection of the Best Reduction Method by Group Decision Making; Case Study

According to the importance of evaluation and control of the non revenue water (NRW), it is essential to provide reduction solutions. However few studies have investigated a real case study from Iran in detail. In this research, a village in Northwestern Iran was selected as a case study. In the first step, the data was collected by extensive surveying (1150 connection meters) and by testing some users and village main water meters (based on Iran 556 code). Then the monthly consumption and the apparent losses were calculated based on IWA standard. Then based on the data, the behavior of the water users was evaluated and their effect on the water loss was assessed. Using the Borda count method for group decision making problem on eight alternative methods, the replacement and calibration of the water meters was selected as the best way to reduce the NRW. The research findings were communicated with the decision makers in rural water sector.