Maynilad allots P6.6 billion for capital expenditures

MANILA, Philippines – Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) has allotted more than P6.6 billion for its capital expenditures for 2010.

Over P1.7 billion has been set aside by the water company to expand its service coverage and improve service levels in its concession area. Around P700 million will be spent to replace old pipes in Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, Caloocan, Pasay and Makati, while approximately P800 million will be used to fund pipelaying projects in various portions of the West Zone. Approximately P200 million will also be spent on projects that will further improve water supply delivery to Maynilad customers.

Some P1.7 billion was earmarked to modernize the company’s water distribution network. Aside from building new pumping stations and reservoirs, Maynilad is set to upgrade and rehabilitate a number of its primary lines and water network facilities this year.

To boost its non-revenue water (NRW) reduction drive, Maynilad is prepared to spend nearly P1.5 billion on its water recovery and reallocation programs. These programs include active leak management, NRW Diagnostic, and the establishment, isolation, measurement and rehabilitation of District Metered Areas (DMA) all over the West Zone.

For leak repair alone, Maynilad has allocated P314 million for 2010. The company has also begun utilizing the Sahara Pipeline Inspection System – a state-of-the-art leak detection technology that accurately detects leaks, pockets of trapped gas, and structural defects in water main lines.

The rest of the 2010 capital expenditures budget will be used for sewerage and sanitation, water sources, water production, building and warehouse facilities, natural calamity mitigation and other projects.

Maynilad serves over seven million customers in Metro Manila and parts of Cavite. Its concession area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue the northern part starting from the districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Superhiway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila, and the municipalities of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province.