Since the historic Leakage Management Conference - "A Practical Approach" held in Cyprus 2002, the Water Loss Task Force had very productive 3 years with the publication of 8 articles in "Water 21" covering all aspects of world best-practice in water loss management. In September 2005 the next Leakage Management Conference was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The conference titled "Leakage 2005" was a major success. 199 delegates from 30 different countries met for three days in Halifax. More than 50 world class papers were presented and most of the world's leading water loss experts were at the conference. The Water Loss Task Force has grown to 65 active members from 27 different countries after the successful "Leakage 2005" conference.

The IWA has been a leader in developing a standard water balance, international terminology, strategies for water loss reduction, and corresponding performance measurement. Many national standards have been developed using the IWA approach to water loss management and it is clear from the international response that the strategies advocated by the IWA Task Force are gathering world-wide recognition as best *practical approach* to reduce water loss. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Loss Control Committee for example, formally adopted the findings and work of the IWA WLTF and in 2003 published a new committee report endorsing the use of the IWA best practice methods for water loss control. Also it is worth mentioning that the World Bank Institute has used the work of the WLTF as a basis to produce a series of training manuals which are being used for capacity building in developing countries.

Conferences and seminars are an ideal way of communicating research and development of water loss strategies and technologies. Events have been held almost annually since the Cyprus conference (Malta 2004, Italy 2004, Australia 2005, UK 2005, Italy 2006), as well as promoting the work of the WLTF at specialised workshops at each IWA Congress and at the IWA 'Efficient' Specialist Group events (Tenerife 2003, Marrakech 2004, Chile 2005, Beijing 2006). Following the success of 'Leakage 2005' in Nova Scotia last year the decision was made to have a biennial international specialised conference in water loss management The next conference is 'Waterloss 2007', to be held in Bucharest, Romania in September 2007. For further details please visit the conference website www.waterloss2007.com .