MANILA, Philippines, March 29 ----- Customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. will experience daily water service interruptions starting today as a measure to conserve water with the El Niño phenomenon projected in the second half of the year.
On its official Twitter account, Maynilad said it will implement daily water service interruptions in parts of its concession area starting March 28. Maynilad said it has also placed mobile water tankers on standby to deliver potable water to customers.
Maynilad announced the complete list of affected areas and their corresponding service interruption schedules on its website, Facebook Page and Twitter account. “These daily service interruptions will last be depending on the actual raw water volume that our treatment plants will receive, as well as on actual rainfall that will occur at the watersheds,” it said.
As the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, its concession area covers parts of Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite.Maynilad said the elevation at Angat Dam is still manageable as of mid-March. However, as warned by PAGASA, the water firm does not expect sufficient rain over the watersheds in succeeding months to replenish the dams.
In light of the water service interruptions, Maynilad urged customers to keep enough water stored for use during the hours when supply will not be available. The company also advised customers to expect some discoloration in the supply once water service resumes. Meanwhile, Manila Water Co. Inc. said there are no scheduled water interruptions and round-the-clock supply in the east zone – which encompasses parts of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, most parts of Quezon City, portions of Manila, as well as several towns in Rizal – will continue.
To keep its daily water supply, Manila Water said it is maximizing its Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal that can deliver 110 million liters of water per day, operating the Marikina Portable Water Treatment Plant which can add 15-20 MLD and harnessing of groundwater through deep wells which can provide additional 100 MLD.It has also implemented backwash recovery from its water treatment plants, which can add 20-30 MLD and utilized the Alat Reservoir that can provide 10 MLD. Manila Water has also commissioned the Calawis Treatment Plant, which can provide at least 20 MLD and the first phase of the East Bay project for another 50 MLD.
Source: philstar.com