Manila Water sets bold carbon emission targets

MANILA, Philippines — Razon-led Manila Water Co. Inc. has set a bold target of reducing and avoiding carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2025 through the use of renewable energy and wastewater treatment.

The goal is to reduce and avoid Scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from owned or controlled sources while Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the company.

These targets form part of Manila Water’s medium-term environment, social and governance (ESG) policies as the East Zone water concessionaire marks its 25th year today (Aug. 1).

“We have reimagined the company with a new purpose, vision and mission. We are drawing on our heritage as an industry pioneer in sustainability practices and reporting to further focus on and embed ESG into our overall business operations,” said Manila Water president and CEO Jocot De Dios.

De Dios, a former CEO of General Electric Philippines and undersecretary at the Department of Energy, is part of the team that took over the leadership of Manila Water last year when ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon took over the helm of the company.

Manila Water’s clients has swelled to seven million in 2021, more than double the 3.1 million customers at the start of operations, as residents gained access to 24-hour water supply, expansion of water mains and distribution lines, and more water delivered to customers.

Manila Water has likewise significantly reduced system losses or non-revenue water (NRW) to the current world-class rate of 12 percent from a dismal 63 percent of production pre-1997 or prior to privatization.

“Even during the height of the pandemic, we made sure to supply our customers with clean and safe water, 24/7. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we remain relentless in improving our services and infrastructure to fulfill our commitments to our stakeholders and the environment,” De Dios said.

Manila Water already made headway with its carbon emission targets, specifically on using green or renewable energy (RE). In 2021, the company utilized 13.8 million kilowatt hours (kwh) of renewable energy using onsite solar panels and purchasing RE through open access.

In the area of wastewater management, Manila Water aims to be the leading provider of wastewater and environmental services in the country.

The company has already built wastewater treatment infrastructure—including the North and South Pasig Sewer System with the Ilugin Sewage Treatment Plant, the Taguig North Sewage Treatment Plant, and the Marikina North Sewerage System Project.

To sustain these efforts, Manila Water also capitalized on proactive technical solutions, such as a separate sewer system and combined sewer-drainage system.

As of 2021, the East Zone has a total of 41 sewage treatment plants (STPs) and two septage treatment plants. With its 78 vacuum tankers, the company has also desludged more than two million households.

Manila Water aims to become a value-creating global water company that delivers world-class products and services tailored to the needs of the communities it serves.

“We will continue to explore new methods and apply new approaches to create innovative and sustainable solutions that will deliver lasting impact to our customers and the communities where we operate in,” De Dios said.

Manila Water was established in 1997. Prior to that, Metro Manila was in a serious water crisis, marred by illegal connections, low water pressure to no water, massive leaks, and poor customer service abound.

Thus, former president Fidel Ramos signed into law Republic Act 8041, also known as the “National Water Crisis Act,” which ordered the transfer of water distribution to the private sector in 1997.