Maynilad starts distribution of ‘new water’ in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services Inc. is looking to put up more facilities that treat used water as its customers in Parañaque City received additional supply from recycled water after securing government permits.

Maynilad said it has started the piped-in distribution of its “new water,” or potable supply sourced from treated used water, to two barangays in the city after getting a Conditional Operational Permit (COP) from the Department of Health (DOH) Metro Manila Center for Health Development.

The COP was issued by the DOH after new water passed a series of tests that proved its adherence to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water and met the World Health Organization guidelines on potable reuse.

The permit is valid for 12 months and will be changed to a permanent permit once Maynilad consistently meets all the conditions set in the COP on the supply of new water within the period, under the strict monitoring of the DOH.

Prior to the COP issuance, new water had been given a Certificate of Potability by the Parañaque City health office.

Maynilad’s New Water is the first implementation of potable water reuse in the Philippines.

“The DOH’s issuance of a permit to commence piped-in distribution of new water is a major milestone for the local water industry. This is the first time that recycled water will be tapped as an alternative supply source to address shortage,” Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez said.