Maynilad resumes water supply interruption

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Manila west zone water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. resumed the implementation of water supply interruption in 56 percent of its concession area over the weekend to cope with reduced water volume as a result of the dry spell.

“We are constrained to resume the daily service interruptions in the west zone immediately to help manage the low volume of water reaching our treatment plants,” said the company.

The prevailing dry spell is expected to last until the second semester of 2016.

As the occurrence of rains over the Ipo watershed had stopped after Typhoon Lando, there were no more runoffs to help maintain water elevation at the Ipo Dam, an auxiliary of the Angat Dam which is the main water source of Metro Manila concessionaires.

Maynilad’s implementation of the daily off-peak service interruptions will affect the same customers that experienced reduced water pressure before. These are customers situated in elevated areas and those farthest from pumping stations.

The water service interruption would be implemented during the off-peak usage hours of 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“We appeal to our customers for their continued patience and understanding as we try to minimize the effects of the water reduction in our operations,” said the company.

Maynilad suspended on Oct. 18 the implementation of the seven-hour water service interruption affecting 56 percent of its customers as the water elevation level in Angat Dam increased.

Maynilad is the concessionaire of the Metro Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of 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 Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) restored to 38 cubic meters per second (cms) the water allocation for Metro Manila for the month of November as rains dumped by typhoons raised water elevation levels in major dams in Luzon.