Metro Manila water concessionaires are implementing supply augmentation measures in preparation for El Niño.
Maynilad Water Services Inc. said its augmentation projects will produce around 163 million liters per day (MLD) of additional water supply from alternate sources within the year.
The company said it will reactive 45 deep wells across its franchise area, commission two modular treatment plants in Cavite, tap additional cross-border points with Manila Water Co., construct an auxiliary filtration system at Putatan water treatment plant and produce an initial 50 MLD from its new water treatment plant in Poblacion, Muntinlupa.
Maynilad said the additional supply will help improve supply reliability for some 700,000 customers in parts of Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Cavite.
Ramoncito Fernandez, Maynilad president and chief executive officer, in a statement said the company also expects to recover more water for distribution through non-revenue management program that covers active leakage control, selective pipe replacements, and closure of illegal connections, among other activities.
Manila Water said augmentation plans include the maximization of the 100 MLD capacity of the Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Laguna Lake; operation of standby deepwells which can provide additional 115 MLD; and operation of the 15 to 20 MLD Marikina portable water treatment plant which will draw and treat water from the Marikina River.
Jocot de Dios, Manila Water president and chief executive officer, said the company continues to support and work with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the development and implementation of short- to long-term projects to ensure sustainability of future water supply which include the Calawis Antipolo water source system and the East Bay water supply project which will source water from the eastern flank of Laguna Lake.
Other projects being eyed by Manila Water as medium- to long-term water sources aside from harnessing Laguna Lake include the New Wawa Dam project in Rizal Province, the Kaliwa Dam project and the Kaliwa River project which will harness water from Kaliwa River downstream of Quezon Province.
Manila Water added the construction of a new 15-kilometers aqueduct and 6.4- kilometer tunnel will ensure 1,600 MLD to flow towards La Mesa Dam and optimize the flow of excess water from Ipo to La Mesa Dam.
