Maynilad strengthens readiness for El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services Inc., the water concessionaire for Metro Manila’s West Zone, is scaling up preparations for the incoming El Niño weather phenomenon as Angat Dam reaches critical levels.

Despite water supply remaining stable, Maynilad said it would continue to coordinate with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Water Resources Board, PAGASA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Irrigation Administration and other agencies on potential response to declining Angat levels.

The company added that improvements to the company’s Laguna Lake treatment capacity would also improve readiness for El Niño.

The treatment facilities have a capacity of 450 million liters per day (MLD) through the Putatan and Poblacion Water Treatment Plant, which have a capacity of 150 MLD each.

Maynilad has also increased its total water treatment capacity to 2,873 MLD through additional treatment facilities and supply augmentation projects. Among them are modular treatment plants, new water facilities and deep wells.

A new water facility in Pasay could augment potable recycled water availability due to an additional 12 MLD to its existing water facilities in Parañaque and Valenzuela.

The company said its total reservoir capacity would reach 1,020 million liters following the completion of the 40-million-liter Parada Reservoir and 200-million-liter La Mesa raw water reservoir.

Maynilad added its non-revenue water reduction program could bolster El Niño readiness.

As of the first quarter, the company saw its average NRW down to 32 percent, while its period-end NRW stood at 30.7 percent.

“Maynilad recognizes the concern over the continued decline in Angat Dam levels and the possible effects of El Niño. We have been preparing for these circumstances since previous El Niño episodes, particularly in 2019, when Angat Dam dropped to its historical low level,” Maynilad COO Christopher Jaime Lichauco.

“Angat Dam remains our main raw water source, but we now have more supplemental sources, lower water losses, expanded storage, and improved network management capabilities to help manage tighter raw water conditions,” Lichauco added.

Angat Dam levels have dropped to 159.9 meters, breaching its 160-meter critical levels, according to PAGASA as of July 1, causing concern for Metro Manila residents ahead of the El Niño weather event.