Water Resources and Disaster Management

Water leak and repair

Non-revenue water refers to water that has been produced and is "lost" before it reaches the consumer through leaks, theft or metering inaccuracies. Thus, it does not result in revenue for the water supplier even though it has been purified and distributed. Eliminating this loss leads to more effective utilization of limited water resources and conservation of the water environment as well as reducing the cost of distributing purified water. It also promotes further introduction of water supply and sewage systems.

Japan boasts world-class results in measures against non-revenue water. Since 2007, JICA has provided support to Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (SABESP, or the Basic Sanitation Company of the State of Sao Paulo), which is in charge of water supply and sewage in the state of Sao Paulo, through the provision of technology aimed at reducing non-revenue water. JICA is preparing to deliver ODA as well.

Improvement of Management Techniques to Reduce Non-Revenue Water

The state of Sao Paulo, the largest in Brazil, is home to around 40.5 million people, or 20% of the country's total population. It is not blessed with abundant water resources, however, and it is estimated that the state can access only 1.6% of Brazil's water. SABESP, the state's water utility in charge of 368 cities including the state's capital Sao Paulo City, is one of the world's leading water suppliers, delivering drinking water to no less than 25 million people.

More than 40% of the water being distributed, however, is non-revenue water. SABESP has been working to minimize leaks and improve efficiency in water supply management in line with a leak management program for the state that was formulated in 1981. Results of the program have fallen short of expectations, however, and JICA was asked to lend a hand.

JICA sent specialists over in 2000, 2001 and 2003 to give advice on formulating and implementing plans to counter non-revenue water as well as analyze problems. As a result, it was determined that Japan's technology and know-how could be of use in the water project, which was then initiated for a three-year period from 2007 to 2010 to enhance the non-revenue water management capacity of SABESP.

Reviewing Possibility of ODA Based on Program Results

At a pilot area

The project involved transferring technology regarding evaluation of old pipes as well as to detect leaks, repairing roads after construction to fix leaky pipes, guidance on appropriate installation and management of water meters, and control of water pressure. Specialists from Saitama, Kawasaki and Nagoya as well as Japanese consultants provided the technology so that SABESP personnel could manage nonrevenue water more effectively based on a medium- to long-term plan.

SABESP devised a long-term plan covering from 2009 to 2019 to reduce non-revenue water and enhance energy efficiency based on the results of this project, and is making other concerted efforts to reduce non-revenue water. A request was made for ODA to finance the program between 2011 and 2013. The request is currently under review.

The problem of non-revenue water is a serious one in developing countries around the world. JICA supports measures to reduce nonrevenue water in Jordan, Egypt and El Salvador as well.