Maynilad opens water meter testing facility

MANILA, Philippines - Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has opened a facility for regular testing of residential, commercial and industrial water meters of its customers.

Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ricky Vargas said the meter laboratory is the first in South East Asia, and is capable of testing large meters ranging from 15mm to 300mm. The facility also provides testing services for companies that supply water meters in areas outside Metro Manila.

The laboratory features an advanced meter test bench that determines the meter accuracy by comparing the volume of water passing through it with its registered reading. This technology enables fast, efficient and precise measurements of water consumption.

From the Maynilad La Mesa compound in Quezon City, the laboratory will be transferred to Pasay to make it more accessible to future clients.

“Not only does this facility save us money on meter testing, it also builds the knowledge and capabilities of Maynilad personnel in the field of meter management. This is important because we want to assure our customers that we accurately record and bill their consumption,” Vargas said.

Maynilad also has a meter management team that ensures billing accuracy and reduce meter malfunctions blamed for company’s losses due to theft and inaccuracies in metering and data handling.

The water firm said its commercial losses account for 24 percent of its non-revenue losses.

To further improve its services, Maynilad has allotted more than P170 million this year alone for its meter replacement program, including upgrading of at least 50,000 water meters under its concession area.

Maynilad supplies water in the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area covering the whole of Manila (except some portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional and Mindanao Avenues, the northern part starting from the districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; Bacoor, and Imus Cities, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province. – With Czeriza Valencia