Strategy for Control of Water Loss by Optimizing District Meter Area: Case Study at Perumda Tirta Manuntung Balikpapan

Loss of water orNon-Revenue Water(NRW) is a major challenge in the implementation of clean water supply systems in Indonesia, including at Perumda Tirta Manuntung Balikpapan (PTMB). The high NRW value recorded at 26% in February 2024 indicates the need for an effective control strategy. This study aims to analyze the main factors causing water loss, evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the clean water supply systemDistrict Metered Area(DMA), and identify technical and managerial challenges in optimizing DMA. The impact of DMA zoning on NRW levels is measured quantitatively using multiple linear regression analysis. The investigation shows that DMA installation and optimization may greatly minimize water loss; such as in the Perum WIKA Sub Zone, the leakage rate was successfully reduced from 29.98% to 15.78% after the application of the methodstep test, sounding, and infrastructure improvements. These findings indicate that a zoning-based strategy through DMA can improve the efficiency of water distribution management, detect leaks faster, and reduce physical and non-physical water losses. However, the implementation of DMA still faces various obstacles, including limited human resources, old infrastructure, and the lack of integration of real-time monitoring technology. Therefore, optimization of DMA needs to be supported by data-based water management policies, institutional strengthening, and the use of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) for continuous monitoring of water pressure and discharge. This study provides strategic recommendations in controlling NRW through strengthening the DMA system as a sustainable solution in water management in urban areas.