Florencio Cayco Jr., head of Maynilad’s Revenue Enhancement Directorate, said the 129 households belong to seven barangays of the Tondo Foreshore F-1 area, specifically Barangays 96, 97, 100, 102, 103, 104, and 106.
"The discovery of the illegal water connections and tampered meters came in the wake of stepped-up campaigns against illegal activities which could endanger the water quality and service of Maynilad to the residents of Tondo," Cayco said.
Notices of Investigation were issued to the perpetrators, who were meted with a still undetermined amount of penalty and undercollection charges by Maynilad.
Cayco said the 129 households violated the National Water Crisis Act of 1995, otherwise known as Republic Act 8041, which prohibits unregistered water service connections, illegal opening of water service connections, bypass connections, and tampered meters.
Cayco noted that criminal charges await perpetrators, who will not settle the penalty and undercollection charges with Maynilad.
The water firm launched its campaign against illegal water activities to maintain the integrity of the newly-constructed water system in Tondo F-1 Area, which is bounded by Radial Road 10, Capulong St., (C-2), F. Varona St., and Velasquez St., and avoid the recurrence of the gastroenteritis outbreak in Tondo.
The new water system in Tondo F-1 was constructed after the gastroenteritis outbreak. It replaced the antiquated and deteriorated water system in the area.
"Four months after the inauguration of the project, the Non-Revenue Water level in the area began creeping up again, an indication of the return of illegal activities such as illegal connections and tampered meters," Cayco said.
At least 800 cases of gastroenteritis was reported during an outbreak of the disease in October 2003 in Tondo.
In fact, a state of calamity was declared in the area due to water contamination that killed at least six people and hospitalized hundreds more. The outbreak was blamed on illegal connections and wrong use of booster pumps.