Non-revenue water (NRW) is water that has been produced and is “lost” before it reaches the customer. Losses can be real losses (through leaks, sometimes also referred to as physical losses) or apparent losses (for example through theft or metering inaccuracies). NRW is typically measured as the volume of water “lost” as a share of net water produced1.
After two year since it began in June 2, 2015, the JV Company (Zamboanga Water Company, Inc.) has already established and commissioned 26 District Metering Areas (DMA). This figure is 18 percent more that the contractual target of 22 as of March 2017 resulting to the recovery of about 410 million liters or 410 thousand cubic meters in May of the same year. The project’s performance in terms of volume recovered is 228 percent of the target.
So far, five (5) of the 26 DMAs have NRW level of below 25 percent, which is the target on the 5th year. Global average in the 19 DMA that have been baselined recorded a reduction of seven (7) percent compared to the baseline figure of 50 percent.
Further analyses of the figures revealed that about 1019 cubic meters have been recovered and are added back to the supply line. This volume is enough to sustain the potable drinking water requirement of 34 families that is assumed to consume an average of 30 cubic meters per month. Good pressure management and accelerated leak repair have been the key to ensuring 24/7 available supply in all these DMAs. It is expected that the Zamboanga Water company, Inc. would have commissioned all 39 DMA target by the end of 2017.
On a larger scale, the NRW Project supports the newest program of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) – the Water Demand Management (WDM). This is a new concept that was introduced by USAID Be Secure Project in the Philippines in late 2015. Adopted by the ZCWD only in early 2016 the program has been gaining grounds and recognition by both national, local partners from both the public and private sector particularly the academe. WDM refers to the adaptation and implementation of a strategy by a water institution or consumer to influence the water demand and usage of water in order to meet any of the following objectives: economic efficiency, social development, social equity, environmental protection, sustainability of water supply.2
The NRW Project has been providing local employment and helping the city’s economy through its various infrastructure-related activities.
- wikipedia.org
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We are reminding consumers to conserve and use water wisely. To report or for any concern please call ZCWD Customer Care Division 955 – 1007 to 1008; WTP 957 – 3651 loc. 100 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or visit our web page @ https://www.zcwd.gov.ph or FB page @https://www.facebook.com/ZamboangaCityWaterDistrict for updates. (FR.Camba)