Maynilad to advance water pollutant research

MANILA, Philippines — West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it has partnered with the University of the Philippines (UP) to advance research on emerging pollutants in Metro Manila’s water sources and wastewater systems.

The partnership, Maynilad said, reflects the firm’s proactive approach to ensuring the long-term safety and quality of its water services.

The water utility firm said it is important to stay ahead of potential future risks to guarantee customers’ trust in its water supply as potable and safe. Nonetheless, the company noted that it consistently meets the country’s stringent Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

“Maynilad strictly complies with national water quality standards, providing safe and reliable water to our customers,” Maynilad chief sustainability officer Roel Espiritu said.

“This partnership allows us to anticipate future challenges by exploring advanced technologies and ensuring that our treatment systems remain robust and adaptive,” Espiritu said.

Under the partnership, UP will conduct comprehensive testing to assess the presence of unregulated pollutants that have been identified as emerging concerns in other countries.
The research will also support Maynilad’s development of advanced treatment methods, such as ultraviolet photolysis and advanced oxidation, to address potential emerging contaminants, according to Maynilad.

“These innovations are key to initiatives like Direct Potable Reuse, which aim to further enhance water sustainability while maintaining the highest safety standards,” Maynilad said.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which includes the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), 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.