Water Loss Audit

Why complete a Water Loss Audit?

Water is a precious and finite resource. Water loss control benefits the utility by conserving its water and diminishing its need for future acquisitions of additional water supply. Reducing water loss offers utilities the ability to increase their water use efficiency, improve their financial status, and assist with long-term water sustainability.

Completing the Water Loss Audit will help a utility understand where and how much water is being lost from the distribution system and will provide a baseline to track and improve water loss control.

Do I have to submit a Water Loss Audit?

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 required submittal is due by May 1 of 2026 for the 2025 audit year. Any audits submitted outside of the five year cycle do not satisfy the submittal requirement.

We strongly encourage all retail public water suppliers to complete an audit annually to assist them in better tracking their water loss and identify issues that may need addressing. This can ultimately help save the supplier money over time.

The Water Loss Audit must be completed online. The online worksheet should be completed by the staff member that has taken a TWDB certified water loss audit training and received a training acknowledgement to upload to the worksheet.

For additional information, visit our Water Loss Audit Training Page.

These Reports Must be Completed in Order:

1. Water Use Survey
2. Water Loss Audit
3. Annual Conservation Report
4. Utility Profile
5. Water Conservation Plan

To access the Water Loss Audit Worksheet online you must first register by creating a username and password. Once you have created a username and password, you may request access to a particular utility. Once access is approved by TWDB staff you will receive a confirmation by email granting access.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in receiving a PDF copy of an entity’s water loss audit report, please send your request with the entity’s name and reporting year along with your contact information to the email address below.

Water Loss Audit Resources:

• WUS and WLA Checklist for Retail Utilities
• Troubleshooting for Negative Water Loss Components: Need help finding out why you’re reporting negative numbers, look here!
• Water Loss Audit Worksheet Instructions: The instructions are labeled by lines shown on the worksheet. These instructions can be used in completing the Water Audit Loss Worksheet.
• Guidance for Assessment Scale: Use this to learn how to use the Assessment Scale Table.
• Assessment Scale Table: Use this to assess the data provided in your Water Loss Audit.
• Guidelines for Setting a Target Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI): Table to assist water utilities in gauging an approximate infrastructure leakage index that is appropriate for their water system and local conditions.
• Water Loss Audit Manual for Texas Utilities (Updated March 2008): Complete manual and guidance regarding water loss methodology and reporting.
• Main Line Loss Calculator: Excel document used to estimate water loss from a particular line break.
• TWDB Equipment Loan Form (open in PDF to sign and submit): Form for submitting a request to borrow TWDB leak detection equipment.
• Water Loss Control Planning Guide: a one-page planning guide used to help understand the next steps in water loss control for your system.
• Water Loss Thresholds Information Sheet: provides information on water loss thresholds which were established to compare water loss performance for utilities applying for financial assistance with TWDB.

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.
• Southwest Environmental Finance Center's Audit Tools: Tools for completing a water loss audit.

For additional information, please contact TWDB's Water Loss Audit team at WLA-Group@twdb.texas.gov or 512-463-0987.