Maynilad modernizes water network with 3,293 km in pipe upgrades

Maynilad Water Services Inc. has replaced more than 3,293 kilometers of aging pipelines across its concession area since 2006, marking a major step in its ongoing efforts to curb water loss through its Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management program.

The pipeline length replaced is roughly equivalent to the distance between Manila and Tokyo, underscoring the scale of the company’s initiative to modernize its distribution network and improve service reliability.

According to Maynilad’s 2023–2027 Business Plan approved by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), physical losses such as pipe leaks continue to make up the vast majority of NRW. As of the end of 2024, 90 percent of the total water loss came from physical issues in the system, while only 10 percent stemmed from commercial losses such as illegal connections.

“Our NRW reduction program is a sustained, multi-year commitment,” said Engr. Ryan Jamora, Maynilad’s Central NRW head. “Replacing aging pipelines is a critical part of this strategy, as it not only reduces water losses but also improves pressure and reliability for our customers.”

Maynilad has been implementing targeted pipe replacement projects in priority zones in coordination with local government units and other stakeholders, aiming to reduce its NRW level to 34 percent this year. This marks a significant improvement from the 66 percent NRW recorded prior to Maynilad’s re-privatization in 2007.

“It is a challenging goal, but we are leveraging advanced technologies and the expertise of our skilled teams to sustain water loss recovery across our network,” Jamora added.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of the MWSS in terms of customer base. It serves large portions of Metro Manila — including Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, and Parañaque — as well as several cities and municipalities in Cavite province.