Maynilad: 591K customers to have water interruption as Angat level falls

Nearly 600,000 customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. would be affected by the anticipated nine-hour water service interruption triggered by reduced allocation after the Angat Dam’s water level dipped below its minimum operating level.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV on Saturday, Maynilad corporate communications head Jennifer Rufo said that the expected 591,000 customers of the west zone concessionaire to be affected by the service interruption is lower than those affected during the dry season months.

“Medyo nabawasan natin ang maapektuhan at this time. Noon kasi, kasagsagan ng tag-init, mas malakas ang konsumo. Nagiging factor ang lower demand,” Rufo said.

(We were able to lessen the number of those to be affected [by the water service interruption] at this time. Before, it was the height of the dry season and consumption was high. The lower demand is a factor [in determining the number of customers to be affected].)

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Angat/Ipo Operations Management Division head Patrick James Dizon earlier said that the nearly 600,000 to be affected “is lesser than the 1.5 million affected households in April 2023.” 

Rufo said the nine-hour water interruption would be isolated to night time hours from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.

This is also lower than the 14 to 16 hours interruption experienced by Maynilad customers in April.

The water level in Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan fell below the minimum operating level on Saturday morning, data from PAGASA showed.

At 6 a.m., the reservoir water level (RWL) at the dam was at 179.99 meters, which is below the 180-meter minimum operating level.

The National Water Resources Board on Thursday said it will further reduce the water allocation for Metro Manila and irrigation for nearby provinces should the water level at Angat Dam fall below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Despite the reduction and expected interruptions, Rufo said Maynilad was able to generate additional supply to reduce the number of those who will be affected.

“Although 90% ng supply [ng tubig] ay galing Angat Dam, kumukuha tayo sa other sources… We were given permit by the NWRB to reactivate several deep wells so that adds to other sources that we can tap,” she said.

(Although 90% of supply [of water] comes from Angat Dam, we also get water from other sources.)

“We are building modular treatment plants na kukuha ng tubig sa nearby rivers… ‘Yung ating potable reused water, we now do that sa ating sewerage treatment plant sa Parañaque,” she added.

(We are building modular treatment plants that could get water from nearby rivers. As for the potable reused water, we now do that in our sewerage treatment plant in Parañaque.)

Maynilad earlier said it will conduct a press briefing on Monday to disclose specific details about the impact of the lower allocation as well as the areas to be affected by water service interruption. —KG, GMA Integrated News