At the core of this effort is Maynilad’s aggressive push to reduce non-revenue water (NRW)—or water lost through leaks, theft, and inefficiencies—which has enabled the recovery of more than 400 million liters of potable water daily, equivalent to serving millions of households.
Why it matters
Water security remains a critical business and public policy issue in the Philippines, particularly as urban demand rises and climate risks intensify.
By recovering lost water rather than sourcing new supply, utilities like Maynilad can defer costly infrastructure, reduce environmental stress, and improve service reliability.
Recognition follows results
Maynilad’s operational gains recently earned international recognition at the 2025 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards, where it was named among “Asia’s Most Influential Companies” and one of the “Top Green Companies in Asia.”
The awards are organized by Malaysia-based MORS Group and honor firms that demonstrate strong leadership, governance, and sustainability performance.
How it’s doing it
The company credits its NRW reductions to a mix of advanced technologies and large-scale network upgrades.
These include AI-assisted pipeline monitoring, acoustic leak detection sensors, predictive maintenance tools, and the replacement of 142 kilometers of aging pipes in 2024 alone.
Since 2006, Maynilad has upgraded 3,264 kilometers of distribution pipelines, decommissioned more than 9,000 illegal service connections, and recovered around 800,000 cubic meters of water previously lost to system inefficiencies.
People-powered approach
Beyond technology, Maynilad has also leaned on workforce-led initiatives to sustain performance gains.
Programs such as “Grand Walk the Line,” which involves employee-led inspections of water networks, aim to foster accountability and collaboration across operational teams.
“These initiatives demonstrate Maynilad’s commitment to sustainable water management aligned with global climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goal on Clean Water and Sanitation,” said Atty. Roel S. Espiritu, Maynilad’s chief sustainability officer.
Looking ahead
Maynilad is also modernizing supply sources through projects such as New Water —Asia’s first direct potable reuse initiative—and modular treatment plants designed to reduce dependence on Angat Dam.
While still scaling, these projects position the company to better manage long-term climate and demand risks.
The big picture
Maynilad is the country’s largest private water concessionaire by customer base and serves the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area under a concession with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Its recent gains highlight how operational efficiency and sustainability investments can translate into both business resilience and public value. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
