13 more deep wells opened for Manila Water consumers

MANILA, Philippines — East zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. has started tapping more deep wells to augment supply in its serviced areas.

The Ayala-led water firm said it started operating 13 additional deep wells in its concession area where more than 15 million liters of water per day have been drawn.

The move is seen to bring more water supply upon full operation of more deep wells in the coming months.

Before the activation of the new deep wells, Manila Water was able to source more than nine million liters of water per day from five deep wells in Curayao in Rodriguez.

“It is expected that at least 30 million liters per day from more deep wells will be able to augment supply by the end of the month,” Manila Water said.

The company’s current demand is about 100 to 150 million liters of water per day.

Manila Water has maximized its allocation of 1,600 million liters from Angat Dam due to higher demand.

To narrow the supply deficit, various sources have been identified to augment supply.

“Aside from the deep wells, additional supply is coming from the Cardona Water Treatment Plant, which delivers 23 million liters per day,” Manila Water said.

The cross-border flows from west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. provide 11 million liters per day and this will go up to 50 million liters by June.

Manila Water’s eight- to 12-hour water availability has reached 97 percent.

From 61 hard-hit barangays, Manila Water said only eight barangays are dependent on water tankers.

Earlier, the water concessionaire said it would implement a one-time bill waiver related to consumers’ consumption in March which will reflect in next month’s billing.

The bill waiver consists of two parts. First, all Manila Water customers will no longer pay the minimum charge, which represents 10 cubic meters covering water, environmental and sewer charges.

The typical minimum charge ranges from P76 per month for low-consuming customers to P656 for industrial customers.

Secondly, severely affected areas or those who experienced no water service for at least seven days will not be charged for the whole month.

Former public works secretary Rogelio Singson pushed for the creation of the Department of Water to avoid a water crisis in the future.

Singson said the government should appoint someone who will be in charge of water management. 

Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman and administration senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino also called for the creation of an agency that will be tasked to address water issues, including conservation measures and regulation of use and cost.

“The water crisis is really a cause for concern,” Tolentino, former political adviser to President Duterte, said.

“We are already experiencing water rationing in parts of Metro Manila,” he added.

The former Cabinet secretary cited the current situation in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where several areas are affected by El Niño.

Under Tolentino’s proposal, the water department will consolidate the functions of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Resources Board and National Irrigation Administration.    –  With Robertzon Ramirez