Maynilad: Water service interruption to last through summer months

Some areas being serviced by Maynilad Water Services Inc. felt the beginning of waterless hours, and the water concessionaire said this may last until the rainy season comes.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras,” Maynilad is implementing cuts in water supply in parts of Metro Manila and Cavite to prepare for the looming effects of El Niño.

In Balut, Tondo, there will be no water supply starting 4 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day. In other areas, the water interruption will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Several barangays within the 10 cities in Metro Manila and six cities and towns in Cavite will also experience the same.

Maynilad said it has yet to determine when the water supply to its customers will return to normal.

Even though the water level in Angat and Ipo Dams is normal, it said that the daily water interruption will continue and last until the rainy season to conserve water ahead of El Nino.

“’Yung ginagawa natin na daily interruption, ito 'yung bunsod ng ating conservation measure bilang ine-expect po natin na may darating na El Niño. Mas kaunti 'yung mga pag-ulan na magre-replenish dito so at this point 'no bagamat mataas pa naman 'yung antas ng tubig sa angat dam, we felt that it may be necessary na as early as now na i-implement na natin 'yung, itong water conservation measure para maitawid natin 'yung possibility na magtagal 'yung el niño until next year,” Maynilad spokesperson Jennifer Rufo said.

Maynilad said it has alternative water sources such as deep wells, 100 mobile tankers and 86 stationary water tanks placed in various locations.

Manila Water, meanwhile, assured its customers that, unlike Maynilad, its water service would be available 24/7.

“Yung mga leaks medyo ang primary source ng water losses or water wastage both sa kalye at saka sa loob ng bahay. Doon sa operations natin sa treatment plant 'no part of conservation really is what we call, backwash recovery. So eto yung paglinis ng mga filter natin doon sa treatment plant, nakakadagdag ito ng additional 30 million liters of water per day 'no na nababalik natin sa treatment plant,” Manila Water spokesperson Jeric Sevilla said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News