Esteros, sewers eyed as sources of water during dry spells

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Water Co. Inc. is considering tapping esteros and sewers as possible sources of water in case of water shortage, a top company official said yesterday.

Jeric Sevilla, the firm’s corporate communications chief, told reporters during a news forum that water in canals and sewers can be treated, harvested and stored when dams’ water levels go down.

“We can tap floodwater and even sewers as water sources,” he said.

Sevilla said Manila Water has set up water treatment plants where water is recycled for flushing toilets and watering plants. He said dirty water from esteros is being treated before it is released to Manila Bay and other bodies of water in Metro Manila.

He added that the firm was able to convince residents of upscale villages to stop using pressure pumps to fill swimming pools because the practice will disrupt the distribution of water in the eastern part of the metropolis.

As for illegal connections in depressed areas, Sevilla said they addressed the problem through the firm’s Tubig Para sa Barangay program, which makes water available to low-income households and informal settlers.