Severe Water Losses Worsen Bulacan Supply Woes

Central to the water supply needs of its own communities and neighboring cities, Bulacan province is ideally a place that should never run dry. Yet, for years, residents have been plagued by water management problems and supply controversies. A freedom of information request by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Journalism Lab (J Lab) to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) revealed a critical issue: a significant portion of Bulacan's treated and distributed water supply is leaking away instead of reaching customers. The 20 Bulacan water districts with available data lost an average of 33.26% of the province’s water output, meaning approximately three liters of water for every ten liters produced do not reach consumers. This phenomenon is known as high non-revenue water (NRW) rate, which refers to water produced but not billed due to losses from leaks, theft, or metering inefficiencies. A lower NRW rate signifies a more efficient service. Twelve of the 20 districts with recorded data exceeded LWUA’s 20% limit for NRW, as set in 2010. The wasted water supply is estimated to be worth around P1.6 billion, representing lost revenues for the utility firms. Marilao Water District (MARWADIS), serving over 280,000 residents, recorded the highest NRW rate in Bulacan for both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, the district lost 56.11% of its total water production, with an estimated revenue loss of P422.19 million. This means only 440 milliliters of water reached homes for every liter produced in Marilao. Under PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.'s (then under the control of tycoon Manuel B. Villar) proposed five-year budget, P49.25 million was allocated to bring down the district’s NRW rate. PrimeWater is now known as Hiraya Water Corp. after it was fully acquired by Crystal Bridges Holding Corp. of tycoon Lucio Co. In 2024, the private concessionaire reportedly spent about P5.69 million on its water losses management program, including pipeline and meter maintenance efforts, leak detection, and removal of unauthorized lines. However, the utility provider failed to meet its 28% internal NRW target in the same year, posting a 51.32% water losses. MARWADIS entered into a joint venture with PrimeWater in 2018 to manage its water supply system. However, data and audit reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) indicate that the NRW performance deteriorated throughout the eight-year joint venture. COA reports attributed the high NRW rate to damaged water distribution networks, unimplemented pipe replacement projects, physical leaks, and illegal water connections. MARWADIS was sought for comment for this story, but it replied that it cannot accommodate the interview request “due to prior commitments and operational demands.” In San Jose Del Monte (SJDM), similar grim realities are faced by residents. Michelle Magalaksak, a resident for nearly a decade, has witnessed leaking pipes left unattended for months at her sibling’s house in a neighboring barangay. Although the leaks caused no increase in their monthly water bill, Magalaksak expressed concern over the inaction of the city’s previous water concessionaire. "I said, 'What a waste. If only that water flowed to us and was just wasted by you,'" she said. The 43-year-old said her family has been enduring issues regarding water supply since PrimeWater assumed operations following a joint venture with the local water district in 2018. What began as an eight-hour disruption eventually stretched to 18 consecutive hours, leaving residents without water from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. On days when shortages became overwhelming, she relied more on convenient alternatives rather than wasting hours waiting. "We bought paper plates, disposables. Sometimes you just order takeout because you can't cook. I don't even eat breakfast anymore to save on washing dishes," Magalaksak said. "Even brushing your teeth, you use mineral water. The cleanliness of the house, the cleanliness of the utensils, and personal hygiene, those are the things most affected." COA stated in a report that the water district partnered with the private company primarily to secure the capital investment needed to replace the aging mainlines and pipelines to curb its water losses. But in the eight years PrimeWater handled the city’s water system, numerous complaints persisted over weak water pressure and chronic water shortages. State auditors noted that SJDM’s NRW performance only "worsened" under the joint venture as water losses climbed from 31.26% in 2018 (before the agreement) to 42.66% in 2024. The city’s water losses hit an NRW rate of 46.43% last year, the highest level recorded since PrimeWater took control of the city’s water distribution system, and the third-highest rate in Bulacan province. San Jose Water, SJDM’s water district, was sought for comment for this story, but they have yet to reply. In June, the residents of SJDM joined forces with labor groups to stage a rally in front of Las Piñas City Hall of Justice to demand an end to PrimeWater’s operations in Bulacan. The protest was in response to an injunction granted by the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC), directed at prohibiting the SJDM City government from assuming control over the local water system. Information Source: Philstar Nation