Firm appeals to public not to waste, hoard water

Amid fears of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and continuing rotational service interruptions, Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Wednesday appealed to consumers to limit the use of potable water to address their health and well-being and avoid storing excessive amounts.

In a notice to customers, Maynilad said the need for sufficient supply was more pronounced with the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“We appeal to all consumers to be responsible in using water,” the company said. “Limit its use to activities that are critical to the health and sanitation [needs] of your family.”

The West Zone concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) reiterated that it was undertaking measures to mitigate the still below-normal allocation of raw water from the Angat Dam in Bulacan.

The National Water Resources Board has maintained MWSS’ allocation to 42 cubic meter per second for the third month in a row this March, still below the normal 46 cu. m. This was meant to save up supply for the coming hot, summer months when demand for water rises.

Maynilad’s efforts include the optimization of its two water treatment facilities in Putatan, Muntinlupa—which together produce 300 million liters of potable water daily from raw water drawn from Laguna de Bay; reactivation of several deep wells; continued reduction of water losses through sustained pipe replacement and repair activities; cloud-seeding operations; and deployment of modular water treatment plants that will draw water from small rivers in Cavite province.

At the East Zone, Manila Water Co. Inc. said it was installing more line boosters on pipelines across the East Zone concession to help ease service interruptions in elevated areas.

The line boosters will help “increase pressure and help bring water to challen­ging areas located at higher elevations and those farthest from distribution facilities,” Manila Water said.

The stock of water at Angat was pegged at 200.72 meters above sea level (masl) at 6 a.m. of Wednesday, still more than 20 meters above the dam’s minimum operating level of 180 masl.