Indiana Legislature enacted SEA4 (2019) obligates water utilities to complete annual water loss audits.
The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) requires that water audits acquire a Level 1 Validation every even-numbered year. Validated water audits are due to IFA on August 1, 2022.
Commonwealth’s Water Audit Team is ready to answer your questions about audit requirements, Commonwealth’s audit and validation scope of services, and pricing.
WATER AUDITS: A Community Water System that supplies water to its users via meters is required to complete a water audit annually.
In general, a water audit is an evaluation of the amount of water loss within a utility (i.e., water produced minus water consumed). Utilities incur real water losses from infrastructure pipeline leakage and apparent water losses when water production or consumption is not properly measured. The main benefit of completing a water loss audit is to identify these losses so the utility may take corrective actions, which often lead to financial savings.
Indiana Legislature enacted SEA4 (2019) obligates water utilities to complete annual water loss audits. If a utility fails to complete annual water audits and/or the utility is showing a large amount of water loss with no intended corrective action, this may affect the utility’s ability to pursue rate adjustments.
WATER AUDIT VALIDATIONS: Water Audits must be validated every even year.
Water audits can only effectively inform decision-makers when the water loss volumes reported capture reality. Water audit validation aims to identify, and appropriately correct inaccuracies in water loss data and audit methodology. The main benefit of completing a water audit validation by a third-party expert is to improve the accuracy of water audit data.
The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) requires that water audits acquire a Level 1 Validation every even-numbered year. Validated water audits are due to IFA on August 1, 2024.
Checklist to complete Water Loss Audit requirements of Senate Enrolled Act 4
1. Complete the Water Loss Audit using the AWWA Free Water Audit Software v6.0
- Download the Excel-based Software
- Maintain the supporting documentation used to complete the audit, but do not submit it to the IFA
2. Have an Indiana Certified Validator Validate the Audit
- The list of Indiana Certified Validators is available on the IFA website
- Maintain the supporting documentation used to complete the validation, but do not submit it to the IFA
3. Sign the “Certificate of Validation”, prepared by the Indiana Certified Validator
4. Submit to the IFA by August 1, 2024
- Submit the signed “Certificate of Validation” as a PDF
- Submit the VALIDATED Water Loss Audit as an Excel file
- Email both to WaterResources@ifa.in.gov and include the utility’s PWSID in the name of both files
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS
Sarah Hudson, Director | 317-232-2812
Evan Fall, Project Manager | 317-232-3195
The IFA is conducting FREE water audit workshops as well as water loss webinars. Visit their website for more information.
Indiana Section American Water Works Association
Monique Riggs | 866-213-2796
