A new report from the California Water Resources Control Board found that water agencies in the state don’t know how much water is lost from their pipes due to leaks. The report, which was released in December 2022, found that 20% of water agencies don’t track their water loss at all, and 50% of agencies don’t have a complete inventory of their pipes.

This is a significant problem because water loss from leaks can waste billions of gallons of water each year. In California, where water is a scarce resource, this is a major concern.

The report also found that water agencies are not doing enough to fix leaks. Only 25% of agencies have a plan to repair leaks, and only 10% of agencies have a budget for leak repair.

The Water Resources Control Board is urging water agencies to do more to track and fix leaks. The board has developed a new tool, called the Leak Detection and Repair Program, to help agencies identify and fix leaks. The board is also offering grants to help agencies pay for leak repair.

“We need to do a better job of managing our water resources, and that includes fixing leaks,” said Sean McGlynn, chair of the Water Resources Control Board. “We have the tools and the resources to fix this problem, and we need to start using them.”

The report’s findings are concerning, but they also provide an opportunity for water agencies to improve their water management practices. By tracking and fixing leaks, water agencies can save billions of gallons of water each year and help ensure that this precious resource is available for future generations.