Bracing for this year’s hotter summer months, Manila Water has been putting in place mitigating measures to ensure 24/7 water supply to its 7.6 million customers since early last year.

Augmentation sources and new water supply

The company has geared its new water sources and supply-augmentation facilities to ensure adequacy of supply and mitigate the effects of El Nino. Drawing water from Laguna Lake, the Cardona Treatment Plant can produce up to 110 million liters per day (MLD) and is already serving several towns in Rizal. Manila Water’s East Bay Phase 1 is already harvesting raw water from the lake and has a capacity to treat 50MLD. At the Tayabasan River in Antipolo City, the Calawis Water Treatment Plant has been treating water from the river and can produce up to 80MLD.   

Alternative water sources

The company also put in place alternative water sources. As the need arises, the Marikina Portable Treatment Plant, which draws water from the Marikina River, can produce up to 20MLD. Deep wells strategically located in Manila Water’s concession area could add up to 110MLD when needed.

Recently, the company has increased the efficiency of its backwash recovery systems in its East La Mesa Treatment Plant and Balara Treatment Plants from 30MLD to 40MLD. A third backwash recovery system is under construction at its Cardona Treatment Plant.

System checks and low NRW

Additionally, the East Zone concessionaire implements strict and regular system readiness checks, which include regular maintenance of facilities, water lines, and equipment, as well as line boosters and regulating valves.

This regular system monitoring of the water network helps the water company keep its non-revenue water (NRW) in check, or under 15%. The World Bank standard for NRW is 25%. This puts Manila Water’s NRW at one of the lowest in Asia. NRW is water that is not billed and is lost due to leaks and illegal connections.

Intensified advocacy for the responsible use of water

In partnership with MWSS, DENR, NWRB and other government agencies, Manila Water continues its relentless drive and call for the responsible and wise use of water especially as the levels of the dams continue to decline. While the current dam level is still above the operating level of 180 meters, the East Zone concessionaire urges the public to report leaks and practice water reuse and recycling within the household.