Water Loss Audit Resources

TWDB Services

TWDB staff is available to work with utility managers in providing on-site water audit assistance. TWDB staff is able to perform consultant type work and review the water audit worksheet with utility managers so they may have an understanding on how the water audit benefits the utility.

TWDB loans acoustical leak detection and ultrasonic flow meter testing equipment to help assist utilities identify leaks and determine flow rates. How to borrow this equipment.

Please contact WLA-Group@twdb.texas.gov for questions.

Currently, all retail public water systems with more than 3,300 connections or a financial obligation to TWDB are required to complete and submit a Water Loss Audit annually. All other retail public water suppliers are required to submit a Water Loss Audit to the agency every five years. The next five-year deadline to submit an audit is for the 2025 reporting year, due by May 1st, 2026.

Water Loss Use and Conservation (WLUC) Workshops

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will be conducting training based on the water use survey, water loss audit, and water conservation reports. Information on TWDB’s financial assistance and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s financial, management, and technical assistance programs will be included.

The WLUC workshops, part of TWDB’s Technical Assistance for Water Loss Control program (TAWLC), looks at water loss from a water stewardship perspective. Public utility revenue loss, collecting and reporting accurate data, assessing, auditing, and data validation will be reviewed. Data validation is accomplished using TWDB’s assessment scales which help utilities identify action items for water loss control.

The WLUC workshops are provided at no cost to participants and approved for 4 hours of continuing education for licensed water operators through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Attendance at these workshops satisfies the legislative requirement under 31 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 358.6 (b)(4), requiring water loss auditor training prior to submitting a water loss audit to TWDB. The training requirement can also be satisfied by viewing a pre-recorded training video.

See our Water Loss Auditor Training page for current workshop schedule and registration links.

2021 Water Loss, Use, and Conservation Workshop presentation

Additional Resources

• WUS and WLA Checklist for Retail Utilities
• Troubleshooting for Negative Water Loss Components
• Water Loss Audit Worksheet Instructions
• Guidance for Assessment Scale
• Assessment Scale Table
• Guidelines for Setting a Target Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI)
• Water Loss Audit Manual for Texas Utilities
• Main Line Loss Calculator
• TWDB Equipment Loan Form (open in PDF to sign and submit)
• Water Loss Control Planning Guide
• Water Loss Thresholds Information Sheet

External Resources

• American Water Works Association's Controlling Non-Revenue Water Certification Program
• American Water Works Association's Free Water Audit Software
• The Water Research Foundation's Project #5057: Level 1 Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual, Second Edition
• The Water Research Foundation's Project #4639: Level 1 Water Audit Validation
• Missouri Rural Water Association's Water Tools: Tools for tracking breaks and leaks and hydrant flush flows

For further information or questions, please contact conservation staff.