EFFECTS OF NON-REVENUE WATER ON THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF WATER UTILITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN: A CASE STUDY OF SONEB IN PARAKO

Abstract

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) critically undermines the technical and financial sustainability of public water utilities across Africa, yet its specific impact on operational performance remains understudied. This research addresses this gap by assessing NRW's effects on the operational efficiency of the Benin Urban Water Company (SONEB) in Parakou and proposing actionable reduction strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys (n=204), staff interviews (n=17), and operational data analysis, the study quantified NRW levels, evaluated its impact across technical, financial, institutional, and customer service dimensions, identified root causes, and conducted a SWOT analysis. Key findings reveal NRW at SONEB Parakou reached 39% in 2024, significantly exceeding the recommended 25% benchmark. While 96.6% of households reported satisfaction with supply frequency, 54.1% experienced delayed bill delivery, and 68.1% considered tariffs too high. Revenue collection averaged only 50.7% from 2020-2024, exacerbating financial losses. Primary causes include aging infrastructure, lack of network sectorization, excessive pressure, frequent leaks, billing errors, illegal connections, and the absence of a dedicated NRW unit. Commercial losses were further driven by pressure fluctuations, inadequate leak detection, water theft, and meter tampering. SWOT analysis identified strengths (abundant resources, government support, 94% uninterrupted supply), weaknesses (no NRW unit, outdated tools, poor coordination), opportunities (smart metering, District Metered Areas (DMAs), billing improvements), and threats (pipeline damage, illegal connections, climate change). The study recommends establishing an NRW management unit, adopting digital tools (GIS, smart meters), enhancing staff capacity, and launching a 24/7 call center. It concludes by proposing an innovative NRW management model offering scalable solutions for SONEB and similar African utilities.