Maynilad expects water interruptions in Putatan supply zone to continue beyond Feb. 15

Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Saturday said the ongoing water service interruptions at its Putatan Water Treatment Plant’s (PWTP) supply zone will be extended beyond February 15.

“Dapat by Feb. 15 po sana. Although nag-improve na po, baka hindi pa 100% by Feb. 15,” Maynilad head of corporate communications Jennifer Rufo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(It should be fixed by Feb. 15. Although it has improved already, it won’t be 100% by Feb. 15.)

Rufo, however, said that come February 15 there will be a lesser number of affected customers.

Last month, Maynilad advised its customers that portions of Pasay, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas will experience water interruptions until Feb. 15 due to increased turbidity in raw water supply from Laguna Lake.

The prolonged water service interruptions compelled the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) to investigate Maynilad “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.” 

Maynilad had 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.

Nonetheless, Rufo said that the company’s production in the southern Metro Manila is already improving and water interruptions have been shorter than scheduled.

She said Maynilad is implementing augmentation measures such as supplementing the supply of potable water through our mobile water tankers and stationary water tanks in several areas.

In a separate interview on Dobol B TV, Manila Water corporate communications head Dittie Galang said that the east zone concessionaire’s supply is sufficient.

The company earlier said it is preparing for the anticipated drop in water levels at Angat Dam. —KG, GMA News