DCWD Water Bill Calculator — Davao

if cbm ≤ 5  →  ₱100 (lifeline)
else  →  ₱241 (first 10 cbm)
       + Σ over tiers  min(remaining, tierSpan) × perCbm    [tierSpan = upper − from + 1]
       + flat meter fee ₱25–₱40

Where your water actually goes

Unlike electricity where a single appliance (AC) dominates, water use spreads across daily activities. Bathing is 30–40% of a household's water — a 10-minute shower at 8–12 litres per minute totals 80–120 litres, and twice daily for one person is 4.8–7.2 cbm/month. Toilet flushing adds 3–5 cbm per person depending on whether the unit uses an older 9-litre flush or a newer 3-litre dual-flush. Washing machines add 2–4 cbm for 2–3 loads per week. Kitchen use adds 1–2 cbm.

When laundry shops are cheaper than doing it yourself

Laundry services in Davao run ₱40–70/kg. A solo renter typically has 8–12 kg of laundry per month, costing ₱320–840 at the shop. Doing laundry at home uses ~3 cbm of water, ~30 kWh of electricity (heater + machine), plus detergent — roughly ₱700–1,000/month. For solo renters, laundry shops are often cheaper and faster. For families, home laundry scales better because the water tiered rate penalises high household consumption less per load.

How to spot a leak before it shows up on the bill

• Check your meter reading late at night, note the number. Do not use any water for 30 minutes. Re-read. If the number moved, something is leaking.
• Listen for a continuous hiss near toilets — a slow-running flapper adds 5–15 cbm/month silently.
• Watch for damp patches on walls near bathrooms or under sinks. Davao's humidity can mask slow leaks for months.
• If you share a meter with multiple units and your bill suddenly jumps, ask the building to verify the split formula.