Manila Water's Low Nonrevenue Water Rate Sustains 24/7 Service Amid El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — As the country continues to grapple with the effects of a severe El Niño, Manila Water’s low nonrevenue water (NRW) level has been instrumental in sustaining uninterrupted 24/7 water service for its 7.9 million customers across the East Zone. Coupled with the company’s diversified portfolio of water sources, the low NRW has bolstered water availability and system reliability despite the challenges posed by prolonged dry conditions. In May 2026, Manila Water recorded an NRW level of 13.45%, bringing its year-to-date average for the first five months of 2026 to 14.36%. This remains among the lowest NRW levels in Asia and is comparable to the performance of water utilities in many developed countries. READ: Manila Water accelerates Batasan-Balara wastewater project NRW refers to water that is treated but does not reach customers due to leaks, pipe bursts, illegal connections, meter inaccuracies, and other system losses. Keeping NRW low means more treated water reaches homes, businesses, and communities instead of being wasted. It could be recalled that Manila Water has drastically reduced its NRW from a very high level of 63% in 1997 to its current level of below 15%. For every 1% reduction in NRW, at least 15 million liters of water per day are made available to customers. During periods of limited water availability such as El Niño, reducing water losses becomes even more important. Every cubic meter of water saved from losses helps make more water available to customers and improves the efficiency of existing water supplies. “Our diversified water sources have significantly helped strengthen water availability during the ongoing El Niño, but our low NRW has been the silent ally working behind the scenes to ensure that more water reaches our customers. By reducing losses within our network, we are able to maximize every drop of water we produce and continue providing reliable 24/7 service despite challenging conditions,” said Dittie Galang, Manila Water Corporate Communication Affairs Head. Manila Water maintains its low NRW through continuous investments in operational efficiency and proactive network management. These include active leak detection, pressure management and testing, upgrading water monitoring instruments, and the deployment of quick leak response teams across its concession area. READ: Water security projects top Manila Water’s 2025 Capex program The company also recognizes the important role of customers in helping reduce water losses by promptly reporting leaks and other service concerns, allowing response teams to address issues before they result in significant water wastage. By combining low NRW with a diversified water source portfolio, Manila Water has strengthened its ability to meet customer demand and withstand the effects of climate-related challenges on water resources. While new facilities such as the 710-MLD Upper Wawa Dam, 50-MLD East Bay Phase 1 Water Treatment Plant, 100-MLD Cardona Water Treatment Plant, and 80-MLD Calawis Water Supply System Phase 1 have expanded available water supply, keeping NRW very low enables Manila Water to continue providing reliable 24/7 service despite the ongoing El Niño.