THE Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) in Camarines Sur has consistently failed to meet the 20 percent cap on non-revenue water set by the Local Water Utilities Administration’s (LWUA), according to latest three-year data obtained by a Citizens Participatory Audit.
In a special report released on February 5, 2025, the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that the MNWD has been posting a 31.49 percent water loss in its distribution system over the period covered, with 32.68 percent in 2021; 30.97 percent in 2022; and 30.82 percent in 2023.
The 2023 figures showed the agency’s total water production hit 25.54 million cubic meters but only 17.624 million cubic meters were billed and paid.
The balance of 7.92 million cubic meters was written off as non-revenue water or water lost and can no longer be billed.
This was despite assurances from the water district’s management that it is taking action to address the problem it attributed to constant flushing as part of distribution maintenance, leaks due to aging transmission lines, illegal connections, and inaccurate water meters.
Likewise blamed were extraction by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), pilferage by other local government units, damage to water lines from road repair works by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and drainage repairs by the city government of Naga.
The Metropolitan Naga WD is a Category A water utility service with 58,937 active connections as of 2024.
In the second half of 2024, residents of Naga City reported severe water shortage. Water district officials said the low supply was worsened by the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Auditors warned the water district management that exceeding the LWUA limit on non-revenue water is considered an indication of inefficiency.
Acknowledging the audit findings, the MNWD management said its priority is pipe replacement and system upgrade to resolve losses from leaks.
It also submitted a 10-year plan which calls for acquisition of tools to monitor leaks for faster response time, calibration of existing water meters, and replacing defective ones.
Alongside this is Project “Maniobra” which will divert excess water from non-problem areas to improve supply in low water pressure sections of its service area.
