Laguna Water reduces system loss

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Water Co. Inc. subsidiary Laguna Water reported  yesterday that it has reduced its systems loss rate by almost half in 2012 from the start of its operations in 2009.

Laguna Water has brought down its non-revenue water rate (NRW) to 25 percent from 49 percent three years ago.

Recovered to date are three million liters of water per day  which is distributed to 5,000 underserved residents of Barangay Balibago, Sta. Rosa City.

Manila Water said Laguna Water utilized leak detection devices, installed pressure reducing valves and created district metering areas to address the losses brought about by leaking distribution lines and illegal connections.

The company also launched its Tubig Para Sa Barangay program to provide regular water connections in areas where illegal connections are rampant.

“Since the areas served by Laguna Water are still predominantly served by groundwater sources, its successful water loss reduction initiatives contribute greatly to the protection of Laguna’s abundant groundwater reserves for the needs of the future generation,” said Melvin Tan, general manager and chief operating officer of Laguna Water.

Laguna Water intends to reduce its NRW rate to 22 percent by the end of 2013 to recover more water for residents in the cities of Cabuyao, Biñan and Santa Rosa.

Laguna Water was formed through a public private partnership between the Province of Laguna and the Ayala-led Manila Water to operate and maintain the province’s water system.

Manila Water earlier announced that Laguna Water intends to capture the remaining 70 percent of the population in its concession area that are still getting water from other sources in the next couple of years.The allocation and detailed plan for the expansion has not yet been finalized.

Laguna Water currently has 38,000 connections in its concession area, up from 17,000 connections three years ago. It recently added to its customer base key businesses in Laguna such as SM Sta. Rosa, Robinson’s Sta. Rosa, Pavilion Mall, and Mount Sinai Hospital.

For several years, these establishments ran their own water systems.