On August 1, 1973, the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) was formed as the first water district in the country. It was issued the Conditional Certificate Conformance (CCC) No. 001 on January 4, 1974 by the Local Water Utilities Administration(LWUA).

COWD was born as a self-reliant, quasi-public entity with the implementation of the Provincial Water utilities Act of 1973 or PD 198, which created the water districts nationwide. Under the strong leadership of its first and brilliant general manager, Engr. Ernesto B. San Juan, COWD, despite its independence, was able to transform itself from near scratch to an organization clothed in efficiency, competence, credibility and success.

COWD started with only 3,500 service connections when it took over the management of the defunct NAWASA or the City Waterworks System in 1973. This was expected from an average water production of only 12,200 cubic meters per day distributed to consumers through transmission lines, only 39 kilometers long.

In short, in 35 years COWD has grown around 20 times more in service connections, 9 times more in water production and as much 11 times more in pipeline length. The safe potable water COWD serves to the public comes from twenty-eight (28) wells distributed in the six (6) well fields situated at Macasandig, Balulang, Calaanan, Bugo, Tablon and Agusan. There is one spring source located at Malasag. Production major facilities include threee (3) major Booster Pumping Stations and eight (8) reservoirs.

As of December 31, 2007, COWD already has 68,421 service connections. Its service area is spread over the city and the municipality of Opol.

COWD, which became a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) in March 1992, was highly recognized for its remarkable success. In 1993, former mayor, Pablo P. Magtajas, has acknowledged it as being instrumental in fueling the city's growth by leaps and bounds. He likewise commended COWD for its efficiency, competence , responsiveness to the needs of the people and sensitivity to public opinion, referring to the lower rates, which were multiplied only 8.4 times, from P20 in 1973 to P168.50 in the present year, 2008 as compared to any water district nationawide.

COWD was also praised in the national scene. It was chosen the Most Outstanding Water District in the Philippines in 1986,1987 and 1999. Lastly, LWUA conferred Highest Honors on COWD on January 28, 2000 for such achievements and elevated COWD to the LWUA-WD Hall of Fame.

Furthermore, the Bulk Water Supply Project (BWSP) of COWD is the first of its kind in the entire Philippines. This is a supply agreement scheme between the COWD and the contractor for a period of 25 years. The COWD purchases from the contractor bulk treated water beginning January 2007 at initial volume of 50,000 cubic per day. This BWSP is coupled with a Lateral Improvement Project, which includes the laying out of mainline pipes ranging from 300-800mm diameter primarily to be able to accommodate the entry of Bulk Water Supply, expand service area and further improve water service to the public.