A long time ago, the old Davaoeños relied on Mother Nature - Davao river and rain for their water needs. Since these were not enough, the first waterworks systems came about in 1921. Called the Sales Waterworks System, it tapped the Malagos Creek to serve about 10,000 customers. As the populace grew, studies for improvement were made and so in 1968, the water system was placed under the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA). This signaled the construction of better water facilities. Demand for more potable water proportionately grew with increasing population.
In 1973, Davao City Water District was created by virtue of Presidential Decree 198. Operating as a quasi-public utility under a semi-government status, DCWD implemented its projects in calculated phases and stages. Transmission and distribution lines, sources, pumping stations and reservoirs multiplied in large proportions as DCWD tried to cope with Davao City's progress. On March 12, 1992, the Supreme Court declared with finality that all water districts in the country (to include DCWD) created under PD 198 are government-owned-or-controlled corporations (201 SCRA 593). This is now the status of DCWD.
The DCWD has ever since its inception been the biggest water district in the Philippines, now having over 140,000 service connections and still growing. For its various undertakings besides water delivery, DCWD actively networks with other GOCCs and agencies. it has also been a godfather water district to all water utilities that come or it may reach for assistance and guidance in operation and technology.
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has more than once awarded DCWD as MOST OUTSTANDING WATER DISTRICT (very large category). In 1996, DCWD also ranked fourth among the 12 Asia-Pacific countries with the most successful efforts in reducing unaccounted-for water. In addition to its laurels, in 1997, the Asian Development Bank's Second Water Utilities Data Book ranked DCWD number one among 50 water utilities in the Asia Pacific Region. It shared equal glory with Singapore and Johore Bahru of Malaysia. Indeed, DCWD's service has remained unsurpassed nor unequalled as being the country's most progressive water district in Philippine history.
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