As of June 1, 2010, West Zone concessionaire Maynilad has brought down its non-revenue water (NRW) level to 53% from 61% during the same period last year.
Maynilad was able to address over 29,000 leaks compared to a little over 10,000 leaks during the same period in 2009. The 190% increase in resolved leaks translated to nearly 109 million liters a day (MLD) of recovered water.
The significant reduction in the company’s NRW level was attributed to its use of state-of-the-art leak detection equipments, increased leak detection teams, and intensified leak-repair program for El Nino, which was boosted by the memorandum from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directing concerned government agencies and Local Government Units to implement a 150-day suspension of all regulations, ordinances, or other issuances that would restrict or prohibit the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires from conducting leak repairs.
Maynilad is pushing forward with its aggressive NRW reduction program by allocating P1.5 billion this year for its NRW diagnostics, active leak repairs and District Metered Areas establishment and maintenance. The company recently began using its second Sahara mobile leak detection unit for its leak operations. Four Maynilad engineers also underwent training on how to operate the newly delivered equipment.
In 2009, Maynilad was able to lower its average NRW level to 59.7%. By 2012, the company is targeting to bring down its NRW level to 40%.