According to CONAGUA (2010c), the average global efficiency of utilities in 2006 was 32.6%, a percentage that increased to 42.3% in 2010, based on data of 80 utilities in cities with more than 20 000 inhabitants. This means that, out of 1 000 litres produced, only 423 are paid for, the rest is lost through the network, not billed for, or billed but not paid for. In 2005, the PATME26 programme was specifically launched to increase the efficiency of water operators. The APAZU programme emphasises increasing physical and commercial efficiency of water utilities (e.g. it prioritises operators that undertake billing and collection actions as well as water leak reduction).