Maynilad starts rotation of water supply

MANILA, Philippines — Customers of west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. should start storing water as the company implements rotational water supply in several parts of Metro Manila amid ongoing interruptions.

In its latest advisory, Maynilad said it will implement “rotational water supply availability schedules” until Tuesday or until such time the turbidity situation at Ipo Dam improves.

Affected barangays in Bulacan, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Quezon City, Manila, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite can start storing water in the meantime.

Maynilad will bring back supply in its concession areas during a window period to ensure that all customers can store water.

For one, large areas of Quezon City and Caloocan City will have available water starting 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

“Our water production will stay at reduced levels until rainfall over the Ipo watershed dissipates and the sediments in the raw water settle,” Maynilad said.

“The specific areas that may be affected as well as the duration of the service interruptions per area will vary on a daily basis depending on the level of turbidity in the raw water coming from Ipo Dam,” it added.

The increase in the turbidity of raw water coming from Ipo Dam was due to the heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Ompong.

Turbidity level refers to the sediment content in the dam’s water and owing to the continuous rains brought on by the monsoon, turbidity level increased as soil eroded from the Ipo watershed area into the dam.

Maynilad had to reduce the production in La Mesa in order to remove increased sediments from the raw water during treatment before release of potable water to the distribution system.

In the meantime, Maynilad is deploying mobile water tankers to deliver potable water to some areas.

Maynilad warned customers to expect some discoloration in the water supply following the resumption of service.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said Ompong’s heavy rains caused water at Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams in Bulacan to breach normal levels. – With Ramon Efren Lazaro