Analysis of the Quality of Water Losses Data in Public Drinking Water Supply

Authors

  • Mihaela Rudar Neral

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37886/

Keywords:

drinking water supply, water losses, reporting data of water losses, water balance, public utility service providers of drinking water

Abstract

Research Question (RQ): In this paper, we investigate the water loss management in public drinking water supply systems and estimate water losses in Slovenia. The research question is whether water losses data is of high enough quality.

Purpose: To define the concept of water losses in the framework of legislation, which regulates drinking water supply, and directive on water losses, manners and aspects of reporting water losses by public water utilities, and to examine the quality of data on the state of water losses in 2010 and 2012.

Method: The data was compared by means of triangulation method, using quantitative and partly qualitative research methods.

Results: The comparison of data on water losses in years 2010 and 2012 reveals significant differences resulting from inconclusive legislation which does not prescribe a uniform and unequivocal definition of water losses. In the observed period there is no uniform methodology for determining water losses, which would enable comparison of data.

Organization: The model of water losses management, defined by a uniform methodology and consistent legislation, will enable a better understanding of the state of the water, supply system and an easier decision-making about the necessary measures for a targeted reduction of water losses.

Society: Ensuring the responsibility of public water distribution utilities to achieve the objectives of drinking water supply with an emphasis on managing and reducing water losses and improving the quality of drinking water, which are essential for owners of water infrastructure, drinking water utilities and users.

Originality: We have found no pre-existing research regarding on water losses in this context.

Limitations/Future Research: It is impossible to find any water loss data from relevant water utility services, so this investigation focused only on publicly available data from the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and from published statistical data. Access to comprehensive databases in the Information system of environmental protection services is not available.

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Published

2026-08-18

Issue

Section

Original Review Paper

How to Cite

Analysis of the Quality of Water Losses Data in Public Drinking Water Supply. (2026). Journal of Universal Excellence, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.37886/

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