Half-million Maynilad consumers may face water supply disruptions

(Updated 3:17 PM) Starting April, more than half a million water consumers in Metro Manila may either experience reduced pressure or find their faucets temporarily running dry, Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) said. However, the company clarified that the figure is only a projection and may still be lower than expected since it will implement measures that will mitigate effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The dry spell has reduced the company’s water allotments from Angat Dam, one of Metro Manila’s water sources. The water level at Angat is expected to fall to a record 176 meters, reportedly the lowest since 2004. The company’s raw water allocation will be cut by around 10 percent, from 2400 million liters per day (MLD) to 2150 MLD, the company said in a statement. As a result, a projected eight percent of its customers — approximately 560,000 — in 156 barangays may experience lower water pressure or "shortened water supply schedules," Maynilad said in the same statement. The company currently serves seven million customers in Metro Manila’s West Zone. "The raw water reduction this month will likely result in lowered water pressure (2-5 psi from normal pressure) and shortened water supply schedules in more portions of the West Zone," the statement said. To ease the impact of lower water pressure and service disruption, the company "will continue with its valving operations and re-setting of pressure reducing valves (PRVs)," it said. "[It] will also optimize the use of its pumping stations, reservoirs, mini-boosters, and in-line boosters to manage the existing supply in their distribution system." Nearly 30 deepwells are also on standby should their reactivation become necessary, it added. From 201.12 meters on February 1, the water level in Angat dam — Metro Manila’s main water source — receded to around 181 meters this month, due to warmer temperatures and the persistent lack of rain in the area. From February to March, only one to two percent of Maynilad customers were affected by El Niño, as a result of the mitigating measures initiated by the water concessionaire. Moreover, it also added that for March, the actual affected customers comprised less than one percent of the total. In preparation for May and June when the full impact of El Niño is expected to be felt on the West Zone’s water supply, Maynilad has also acquired and refurbished 15 stationary water tanks and 20 water tankers to serve those areas that are expected to have less than six hours of water supply. Maynilad’s service area covers the cities of Manila (except for portions of San Andres & Sta Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila, and the municipalities of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite Province. - with Johanna Camille Sisante/RJAB Jr./RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV