Razon-led Manila Water Co. is now the sole owner of the Wawa Dam in Rizal after acquiring the remaining stake in WawaJVCo, Inc., allowing the company to boost supply operations across its distribution network.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, Aug. 10, Manila Water announced that it secured the remaining minority interest in WawaJVCo to complete its takeover, though it did not disclose the acquisition cost for the remaining stake.

This completes a transaction that began last year, when Manila Water entered into a ₱37.8-billion share purchase agreement with Prime Infrastructure, Inc. to reduce its reliance on the Angat Dam.

Even as the Wawa Dam expansion promises long-term supply benefits, Manila Water noted that it has kept its non-revenue water (NRW) levels below 15 percent, ensuring steady service across Metro Manila and neighboring provinces despite ongoing rains.

According to a company operational report, East Zone NRW stood at 13.51 percent in June 2026, bringing its year-to-date average to 14.22 percent. The performance keeps Manila Water among Asia's top-performing utilities, matching standards set by developed nations.

NRW, or unbilled water loss, is typically caused by leaks, pipe bursts, illegal connections, and meter inaccuracies before water reaches consumers.

Since assuming control of the concession in 1997, Manila Water has brought its NRW down from a high of 63 percent, noting that every single percentage-point reduction recovers at least 15 million liters of water per day for its customers.

To maintain low loss levels, the utility repaired 221 major mainline pipe failures within 24 hours during the first half of the year, including 27 incidents in June alone.

Network reliability is especially critical during the rainy season, when shifting ground conditions and heavy rainfall heighten the risk of pipe damage. The company attributed its performance to proactive asset management, round-the-clock monitoring, and prompt leak reporting by local residents.

Dittie Galang, Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head, emphasized the importance of these ongoing efficiency measures.

“Keeping water losses at low levels is the result of sustained investments in operational efficiency, proactive asset management, and advanced leak detection technologies. These initiatives help us maximize available water resources, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure dependable service for our customers, especially during challenging weather conditions,” Galang said. (Gabriell Christel Galang)