Governance, Financing, and Digitalisation to Reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW): Adoption and Strategies (Case Study: Jakarta)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52825/isec.v2i.3267Keywords:
Non-Revenue Water (NRW), Governance, Financing, Digitalisation (DMA/AMI/SCADA), CFIR, JakartaAbstract
Urban water utilities often face a service paradox: production capacity may exist, yet reliable and billable delivery remains constrained by distribution losses. Non-revenue water (NRW) is a central manifestation of this challenge because it simultaneously erodes utility revenue, strains operations, and can worsen reliability and equity. This study examines NRW reduction in Jakarta (PAM JAYA) using a three-pillar lens: governance, financing, and digitalisation, to understand adoption conditions beyond device deployment. Evidence was assembled from benchmarking and utility artefacts and one semi-structured interview session involving multiple stakeholders (directors, division heads, and operational teams), with confirmation of key points during the session. The analysis applies CFIR-informed qualitative coding and synthesizes a within-case adoption profile across the three pillars. Results show that NRW remained persistently high during 2015–2023 (mid-40% range in recent years) despite variation in other internal service and operational indicators. The case exhibits a formal mandate and an expanding toolkit of digital/field practices (e.g., DMA segmentation, SCADA-supported pressure management, targeted metering), alongside financing preparations for large-scale programs. However, reported constraints, particularly the need to strengthen routines, capability independence, and consistent use of monitoring outputs to trigger and verify field actions, suggest a durability gap that can limit sustained NRW improvement. The paper concludes with practical implications for aligning mandates, financing pathways, and governed operational use of digital tools to make NRW reduction gains stick in metropolitan utilities.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Reini Wirahadikusumah, Moammar Alzia Viqolbi, Hadi Kardhana
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Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan
Grant numbers 4298/B3/DT.03.08/2025