FCT loses over N400m to non-revenue water annually – Water board

The Federal Capital Territory Water Board has said it is losing over N400 million annually to non-revenue water in the nation’s capital. The director of the board, Engr. Tauheed Amusan, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. He attributed the loss to sharp practices and leakages, noting that non-revenue water is a global issue […]

The Federal Capital Territory Water Board has said it is losing over N400 million annually to non-revenue water in the nation’s capital.

The director of the board, Engr. Tauheed Amusan, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He attributed the loss to sharp practices and leakages, noting that non-revenue water is a global issue but the rate at which it is experienced in the FCT is abnormal and worrisome.

Amusan lamented that while huge amount of money was being spent on maintaining all major sources of water supply, including the Lower Usuma Dam and trunk lines, some individuals and organisations had continued to break its pipes and engaging in illegal connections.

He noted that the Lower Usuma Dam, which was the major source of water supply in Abuja, has the capacity to generate 20,000 cubic litre of water per hour, but only about 15,000 to 16,000 cubic litres are being sent out.

“Regardless, despite efforts government makes to subsidise water supply, there are individuals and organisations that do not want to pay.

“One of the challenges we have is the many illegal connections in our trunk loops.

“Abuja’s water system is designed to deliver treated water through the tanks but we have a situation where some people are connected to the trunks before the water gets to the tanks.

“And this compromises what we have in the tank. We are gradually disconnecting these illegal connections. When we do that, the tanks will be better and we will be able to deliver water to various destinations.”