LOCAL WATER UTILITIES

ADMINISTRATION
Commonly referred to as LWUA
Created in 1973 through PD 198 or The Provincial
Water Utilities Act of 1973
A Government Owned and Controlled Corporation
(GOCC)
Specialized Lending Function
Promote and oversee the development of water
supply systems in provincial cities and
municipalities outside of Metropolitan Manila
 PD 198 The Provincial Water Utilities Act of
1973
Created LWUA in the National Level
Allows the establishments of Water Districts in
provincial cities and municipalities
Started the LWUA-WATER DISTRICT CONCEPT
Revolutionized water supply provision in the
countryside
Intended to provide Level III service to households*

* (LWUAs mandate was expanded in 1987 to include Levels I and II)

Safe and clean drinking water and
sanitation is a human right essential
to the full enjoyment of life and
other human rights.

UN July 2010
LWUA POLICY GUIDELINES ON
WATER DISTRICTS
ITS IMPACT ON REAL ESTATE
DEVELOPMENT
 HLURB RULES
Implementing PDs 957,1216,1344 and other related Laws

6. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Subdivision water supply should be connected to an

appropriate public water system or community water system
provided that the water supply is enough to meet the total
daily requirements of the anticipated population
 HLURB RULES
Implementing PDs 957,1216,1344 and other related Laws

When neither a public water system nor an acceptable

community system is available, a centralized water supply system
shall be accepted, provided that:
Technical consultant of the developer determines location
and discharge capacity of source within the subdivision
Permit to drill well(s) or tap water lines from government
agencies shall be obtained
Water source shall be sufficient to meet daily requirements
of every household in the subdivision
No hazards exist in the immediate vicinity of the source that
might reduce or pollute the supply
Water distribution should be assured
 HLURB RULES
Implementing PDs 957,1216,1344 and other related Laws

Water distribution should be assured:

Every service entrance or connection provided with
appurtenances to ensure equitable distribution, water and
power conservation, and long term savings on operating
costs
Subdivision should be able to provide supply Average Daily
Demand (ADD) 150 lpcd
Fire protection requirements
Compliance to MWSS and/or LWUA standards
 ASSURED WATER SUPPLY

AVAILABILITY Determined through hydrologic study, demand analysis

PERMITS Legal rights to the water must exist

SUPPLY 24/7 supply

FINANCIAL Developers must demonstrate financial capability to construct

CAPABILITY the delivery system/storage/treatment facilities

WATER QUALITY Must satisfy existing water quality standards

 LWUAs Creation - 1973
PD 198 and other Issuances
Effective local utilities are pre-requisites to orderly and well
balanced growth of urban areas
Creation, operation, maintenance and expansion of sound
water supply and wastewater disposal systems for population
centers declared as national policy of high priority
Water Districts are the most feasible and favored institutional
structure
Funding requirements for such local water systems are
channeled through LWUA
LWUA promulgates and enforces certain rules and regulations
to achieve national goals of providing waterworks services to
the greatest number at least cost
 WATER DISTRICTS
Vested with certain powers pursuant to PD 198

Section 31, PD 198 A district shall have the right to:

a) prevent interference or deterioration of water quality; adopt
rules governing the drilling, maintenance of wells
b) require developers or builders to extend or connect its
pipelines to district facilities
c) Prohibit any person, firm or corporation from vending, selling
of water for public purposes where district facilities are
available
d) Safeguard and protect the use of its waters against illegal use
and pilferage
e) Take over watershed management, operation and
maintenance
 LWUA POLICY ON WATER SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISIONS
BOT Resolution 215 Series of 1997

OBJECTIVES:

1. Establish guidelines governing the evaluation of requests of

residential subdivision developers and homeowners for
availment of water services

2. Guide the Water Districts in selecting the appropriate scheme

from among the options available to them and the
developers/homeowners for planning, design, construction and
operation of water systems in residential subdivisions
 LWUA POLICY ON WATER SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISIONS
BOT Resolution 215 Series of 1997

WATER DISTRICT SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS:

1) Such service will not adversely affect the water service to

existing customers

2) Said service is financially feasible and economically justifiable

3) In conformity with Water District Rules and Regulations,
provisions of PD 198, and other applicable laws
LWUA POLICY ON WATER SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISIONS
BOT Resolution 215 Series of 1997
GUIDELINES

A. Subdivisions with existing water supply systems

B. Subdivisions whose water supply is still to be

constructed
 SUBDIVISIONS WITH EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

CASE I: Subdivision taps with the distribution line of the Water

District:

I. Assessment of water supply systems present condition.

Upgrading/rehabilitation necessary?

II. Non Revenue Water (NRW) should be less than 25%. Owner
shall shoulder rehabilitation and upgrading works to reduce
NRW to such level.

III. Billed through a central water meter. (Billing schemes as

provided in LWUA Resolution 85 Series of 2007)
CASE II: Subdivision turns over through donation its water
supply system to the Water District

I. Assessment of water supply systems present condition.

II. Non Revenue Water (NRW) should be less than 25%. Owner
shall shoulder rehabilitation and upgrading works to reduce
NRW to such level.

III. Owner agrees to:

Transfer all water rights to the WD
Grant unrestricted access to facilities
Donate all system facilities and related assets to the
WD
Secure consent of homeowners (majority)

IV. Billing through individual household metering

 SUBDIVISIONS WITH EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

CASE III: Subdivision offers the WSS operation to the WD on

Contractual Basis

I. Assessment of water supply systems present condition to

determine need and cost for upgrading/rehabilitation.

II. Owner agrees to:

Grant unrestricted access to facilities
Secure consent of homeowners (majority)
Individual household metering

III. Types of Contract:

1. Management Contract
2. Lease Contract
 SUBDIVISIONS WITH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM STILL TO BE
CONSTRUCTED

1. The Water District shall require the owner to submit plans and
specifications of the proposed system for approval.

2. Owner shall construct the system according to plans and

specifications.
(Owner may request for technical assistance from the
WD during the construction, subject to Memo of
Agreement for the purpose)
 BENEFITS FROM AN EFFICIENT
WATER SUPPLY PROVIDER
Better Standard of
Living
Improved Health and
Sanitation
Economic Opportunities
Fire Protection
ENGR. EDUARDO C. SANTOS
Acting Administrator & Trustee
Local Water Utilities Administration