MWSS probes Maynilad for prolonged service interruptions in Putatan supply zone

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) is investigating Maynilad Water Services Inc. for the prolonged water service interruptions at the west zone concessionaire’s Putatan Water Treatment Plant’s (PWTP) supply zone.

In a statement issued on Monday, MWSS RO said the probe is being conducted “primarily to determine whether there is a ground to declare Maynilad to have failed contractually on its service obligations, and to impose the appropriate penalties on the Concessionaire.”

In a separate statement, Maynilad explained that its water production from Laguna Lake has been affected by the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan “that has been pushing unusual amounts of sediment toward our Putatan treatment plants.”

“The resulting turbid water needs more processing before being released to our customers. Also, increased nutrients in the lake have been promoting the growth of algae that block the intake structure of our treatment facilities,” the concessionaire said.

The MWSS RO said that considering the corrective actions and long term solutions being taken at the PWTP since the second quarter of 2021, the regulator said it is expecting the PWTP to be operating at its maximum design of 300 million liters per day (MLD), and Maynilad to be complying with its service obligation of providing all customers with an uninterrupted supply of potable water at seven pounds per square inch (psi) minimum pressure.

“The unusual large number and duration of the announced WSIs have greatly inconvenienced customers within the coverage area of the PWTP in the Cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Paranaque, Pasay, Bacoor, Imus, and Cavite, and the Municipalities of Noveleta and Rosario,” the MWSS RO said.

“On 11 January 2022, the MWSS RO served a Notice to Explain to Maynilad for WSIs at its PWTP’s supply zone from 6 to 22 December 2021, and from 27 December 2021 to 15 January 2022,” it said.

“On 21 January, following Maynilad’s announcement of water service interruptions that will last until 15 February, the MWSS RO once again issued a notice to the Concessionaire to provide explanation on the reasons behind its extended WSIs, the persisting issues in its PWTP, and its concrete plan of action to remedy this continuing situation,” the MWSS RO said.

The agency said it directed the concessionaire to implement mitigating measures to alleviate the impact of the water service interruptions; utilize all accessible online and offline communication channels to effectively inform and update customers on the list of affected areas, schedules, and other pertinent details of the WSIs prior to implementation; ensure strict adherence to its announced WSI schedules, water tankering schedules, and static tank locations; and  immediately address inquiries or concerns on social media, website, hotline, or email regarding the water service interruptions. 

For its part, Maynilad said it is taking short- and long-term measures to address these concerns like intensifying filtration to get rid of the debris.

“Unfortunately, these extra interventions result in reduced water production, hence, the temporary rotating supply interruption. Meanwhile, we have been supplementing the supply of potable water through our mobile water tankers and stationary water tanks in several areas,” Maynilad said.

“We are currently building our third treatment plant in Muntinlupa that will add another 150 million liters per day to our production once completed in 2023,” the company added.

The concessionaire apologized for the supply interruptions.

“We are doing our best to mitigate the effects on our customers of these natural and man-made causes,” it said.

“Meanwhile, we will cooperate with our regulators to make sure all these issues are properly resolved soonest with the least inconvenience to the public,” it added. —KG, GMA News