‘Water districts can’t keep pace with demand’

February 27, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Water districts across the country are struggling to keep pace with growing demand, as delivery systems fall short despite available water resources leaving at least 12.4 million Filipinos still lacking safe water, a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found.

The study, titled “Securing Tomorrow’s Water: Insights on Groundwater, Surface Water and the Role of Water Districts in the Philippines,” said less than half of households have piped connections at home and 332 municipalities are considered “waterless,” despite national access reaching 87.7 percent.

Authored by PIDS supervising research specialist Adrian Agbon, the study pointed to structural challenges in water service provision, particularly persistent supply deficits among water districts that threaten long-term water security even in areas where water resources are available.

It noted that across 532 water districts, annual demand consistently exceeds effective supply by an average of 3.6 million cubic meters, signaling structural service delivery constraints even where raw water resources exist.

The study warned of pollution risks, and saline intrusion is increasing water stress amid heavy reliance on groundwater and rising extraction.

The research added that population growth, climate change and urbanization intensify pressure on limited and unevenly distributed resources.

It said that while the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) estimated that the Philippines has about 226 billion cubic meters of water available each year, including around 20 billion cubic meters of groundwater and about 206 billion cubic meters of surface water, such as rivers and lakes.

According to the study, about 83 to 85 percent is used for agriculture, leaving a smaller share for households, businesses and industries.

“Securing the Philippines’ water future requires shifting from fragmented, source-specific responses toward integrated planning, stronger monitoring and better-supported water service providers,” Agbon said.

The study underscored the need to strengthen water districts’ capacity to expand coverage, improve system efficiency and manage groundwater resources sustainably.

“Improving service reliability will require closer institutional coordination, targeted infrastructure investments and pricing and financing mechanisms that support both affordability and long-term system sustainability,” the study said.

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