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Water Lost, Water Regained
A Look at Asia's Triumph Over Nonrevenue Water
Ek Sonn Chan on
Pulling Out The Plug On Nonrevenue Water
In just over a decade, the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) reduced its nonrevenue water (NRW) from 72% to 8%. Every 1% NRW means US$150,000 loss for PPWSA per year. But PPWSA General Director Ek Sonn Chan says money is important but not the key contributor to NRW reduction. He says, “Utility staff is your best resource, and an active public your best partner.”
TopNonrevenue Water in Asia: An Overview
In Asian cities, NRW averages 30% of water production, but ranges from 4% to 65%, thwarting the recovery of production investments. Experts say NRW reduction isn't a question of using the right technology but of practicing good governance. What comprises NRW? What are the common strategies to reduce it? How can a utility meet the governance challenge? Read this overview and get some answers.
Global Integrated Method: A Quick Way to Cut Down NRW
The District Method Area (DMA) is the most popular method of NRW reduction but it has its limitations. An alternative method for the short term has begun showing positive results. The Global Integrated Method (GIM) delivers quick results, cutting down water losses by half within a year. Short, simple, systematic, GIM provides a better working knowledge of a utility's water supply system and distribution network.
Viet Nam: Hide and Seek Game Can Quickly Turn Around Revenues
In less than a year, Ho Chi Minh City has proven, through a pilot project in two of its districts, that massive amounts of leaking water and missing revenues can be inexpensively and quickly captured. Using the Global Integrated Method, the city readjusted water pressure, got to know its customers better, and reduced its water losses by a third, saving US$1.4million in the process.
Philippines: Manila Water Successfully Reduces Water Losses Using Multipronged Strategy
Manila Water Company, Inc (MWCI) had its work cut out for it in 1997 when it took over an inefficient water network system that was losing 63% of its water. Strategic zoning, gaining public trust, and technological innovations helped them reduce NRW to 30%. Could an annual PhP5 billion target investments for capital programs and NRW reduction propel MWCI to the ranks of Asia's best water operators?
Country priority investments identified at Conference on the Water Financing Program (WFP) 2006-2010
How can ADB help address the region’s water investment needs? During the WFP conference last 26-28 September, some 78 senior government officials from India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Viet Nam answered this question by identifying their priority investment requirements. Find out how your country can join the WFP and avail of ADB’s new products and services.
Many Asian countries falling short of MDG targets, Joint Report says
“The average progress and relative performance of the region is no reason for early celebration,” says a new report on the status of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Asia-Pacific. The report, released by the United Nations Development Programme, UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia-Pacific, and ADB, calls upon greater cooperation between developed and developing countries.
Asia Pacific Water Forum launched; Governing Council meets for the first time
Launched last September, the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) is a new regional network working to identify and adopt solutions to water issues in the region. The APWF Governing Council, composed of Singapore’s Ambassador at Large Tommy Koh, MDG Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Erna Witoelar, and former WaterAid Executive Director Ravi Narayanan, held its first meeting on 31 October–1 November.
ADB and GWP to start Water Operators Partnership (WOP)
A new cooperation between ADB and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) focuses on improving water governance and expanding water services in the region. This includes WOP, a twinning arrangement between utilities centering on service improvements. ADB and GWP agreed to introduce WOP initially to South Asian utilities. A workshop is planned in New Delhi on 8-9 December to explore the merits of establishing a water utilities network in South Asia.
Bangladesh: Improving access to water supply and sanitation in small towns
Some 28% of urban residents and 41% of rural residents still do not have access to safe water in Bangladesh. For sanitation, only 74% of urban areas and 57% of rural areas are covered. A new US$41 million loan from ADB will help provide safe water supply and improved sanitation to about 1.6 million people in 16 towns.
Bhutan: New loan will improve urban infrastructure and services in cities
A new US$24.6 million ADB loan aims to improve urban infrastructure facilities and basic urban services in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s two largest cities, as well as in Dagana, a regional center. About 55,000 people will directly benefit from improved urban infrastructure, while around 19,000 in poor areas will benefit from improved water supply and sanitation.
Cambodia: Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA)— An exemplary water utility in Asia
A 2005 benchmarking study among water utilities in Southeast Asia ranked PPWSA at the top. And it's no wonder, given PPWSA's dramatic transformation in the past decade. Now providing 24-hour safe drinking water to Phnom Penh's 1 million population, today's PPWSA is a far cry from the inefficient utility of the '90s. Find out how PPWSA worked this transformation.
Philippines: Eradicating the Marikina River's fish menace
Schools of pesky janitor fish are draining the life out of Marikina River's ecosystem—digging holes on the river banks, eating other fish's eggs, and damaging plant life. The city government, fisherfolk, and a young scientist have come up with solutions. Will their efforts finally control the fish menace's ballooning population?
Water for All Publications 2006
This new CD-ROM includes all 15 volumes of the Water for All Publications Series, the Dams and Development e-paper, 14 water briefs on specific water issues, and other ADB publications on water. Email water@adb.org for a free copy.
Search for materials on the Knowledge Products database
There is now a faster way to search through all the knowledge products developed under the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector. The new database allows you to search by title, topic, stream, and more. This database is constantly being improved to facilitate your search.
| 30 Oct-3 Nov | Piloting NARBO's Performance Benchmarking Tool and Peer Review Process (Jatilihur, Indonesia) The Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) launched in 2005 a performance benchmarking system and peer review process. This will now be pilot-tested in Indonesia's Jasa Tirta II Public Corporation. |
| 6-10 Nov | 4th NARBO Training Workshop
Water for All—Lessons Learned and Meeting Future Challenges (Negombo, Sri Lanka) This conference will focus on different country strategies in dealing with the challenges of integrated river basin water resource management. ADB's Plamen Bozakov will be sponsored by the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector to participate in the course. |
| 13 Nov | Launching of 2006 Human Development Report (HDR) (ADB Headquarters, Philippines) The 2006 HDR will be launched in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 November. A series of complementary events will be held in different countries around this date, including a seminar to be hosted by the Asian Development Bank. |
| 27 Nov-1 Dec | NARBO 3rd Thematic Workshop on Water Allocation and Water Rights (Bangkok, Thailand) NARBO and ADB will conduct the 3rd in a series of thematic workshops focusing on water rights and allocation. The workshop will cover strategies and solutions to water rights and allocation issues. |
| 4-8 Dec | 9th International Seminar of Participatory Irrigation Management (Islamabad, Pakistan) This workshop will feature new participatory irrigation management frameworks and models, ideas for irrigation financing, and the latest water conservation technologies. |
| 8-9 Dec | Workshop on Water Operators Partnership Program (New Delhi, India) This workshop will explore the merits of establishing a water utilities network in South Asia. Lessons from the experiences of the South East Asian Water Utilities Network will be considered. |
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