Reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is one of the most persistent challenges facing water utilities today—draining finances, straining operations, and threatening long-term service sustainability. Addressing it requires more than technical solutions alone. It calls for strong professional networks, shared learning, and collaboration across borders.

This spirit of cooperation was at the heart of the recent Training of Trainers (ToT) delivered under the Danube Learning Partnership (D‑LeaP) and coordinated by IAWD. From 16–19 March 2026, water professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Romania gathered online for an intensive four-day journey aimed at shaping the next generation of NRW trainers. Sixteen participants came together not only to strengthen their technical skills, but also to connect with peers facing similar challenges across the Danube region.

Learning through connection

The ToT is part of the D‑LeaP program "Improved Non-Revenue Water Management in Water Utilities”, which focuses on building practical, hands-on capacities while nurturing a regional community of practice. The training was led by Sokol Xhafa, a senior NRW expert with extensive academic and field experience and an alumnus of the D‑LeaP Utility Management Training (UMT) program.

Over four days, participants worked through the full NRW curriculum, tackling real operational challenges: understanding and applying the water balance, using network mapping and GIS tools, designing and managing district metered areas (DMAs), optimizing pressure management, and selecting suitable technologies for flow measurement and leak detection. The emphasis was clear—practical knowledge that can be translated directly into utility operations and future training rooms.

A collaborative learning space

Despite being held online, the ToT was anything but distant. Lively discussions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and shared case experiences created a collaborative learning environment that mirrored the strength of IAWD’s network. Participants compared approaches, reflected on successes and failures, and learned how similar problems are addressed under different regulatory, financial, and technical conditions.

Feedback from the group highlighted the value of learning from a trainer who combines theory with extensive field experience. Real-life examples from utility operations helped grasping complex concepts and kept sessions engaging. Equally important for participants was the exchange with colleagues from neighboring countries - an opportunity to broaden perspectives and build professional relationships that extend well beyond the training itself.

Strengthening the regional NRW ecosystem

This Training of Trainers marks another milestone in IAWD’s efforts to build regional expertise and ownership around NRW management. Graduates of the ToT are now equipped to deliver D‑LeaP trainings through national Hubs, in local languages, ensuring that knowledge remains accessible, relevant, and sustainable. Looking ahead to 2026, this momentum will continue with the establishment of a new NRW Hub in Bulgaria, hosted by the Bulgarian Water Association. The Hub will soon roll out its first training activities, further expanding the D‑LeaP network and reinforcing collaboration among utilities across the region.

By investing in people, fostering peer exchange, and connecting utilities through a strong regional alliance, IAWD and its partners are turning collaboration into one of the most powerful tools for reducing water losses and building a more resilient water sector in the Danube region.

More information about the D‑LeaP NRW Program is available via the link below.