‘Massive leak repair’ underway to cut water supply losses in NCR

Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System are set to conduct "a massive leak repair" to improve the water supply in the National Capital Region.

In a statement, Maynilad said the repairs would stop the losses and help water supply augmentation measures.

"Together with Manila Water and MWSS, we are also pursuing massive leak repair activities at the conveyance system—from Bigti to La Mesa Dam—to arrest losses in the Aqueducts and improve raw water flow to the Novaliches Portal," Maynilad said.

Maynilad earlier announced scheduled water interruptions in cities in the West Zone.

"Maynilad is facilitating its supply augmentation measures to help mitigate the supply shortage. This includes the sustained reduction of non-revenue water, which involves the repair of pipe leaks and replacement of old pipes to recover more supply," Maynilad said.

MWSS Deputy Administrator Jose Dorado told GMA Integrated News that huge volumes of water are being lost at the conveyance system before reaching La Mesa Dam.

"Medyo may nakita kaming mga losses along the line magmula Bigti hanggang La Mesa at pag naghahati na po yung dalawang konsesyonaryo kinukulang na po ng tubig si Maynilad para po sa kanyang customers," Dorado said.

"May mga aqueducts tayo dyan - aqueducts 1 to 6 yan - medyo may losses kaming nakita na yun po yung immediate repair na in-instruct po ni Administrator (Leonor Cleofas) para po mabawasan yung leak sa system," he added.

The MWSS is set to request the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to increase Metro Manila's water allocation from 50 cms to 52 cms from April to May 2023 to allow the Ipo and La Mesa dams to recover.

Maynilad said this would help avert longer daily water interruptions starting April 1 as the water elevation of La Mesa Dam continues to go down.

"Prior to the implementation of these service interruptions, Maynilad has been augmenting supplies through a “cross-portal” arrangement with Manila Water, because less water has been reaching the Novaliches Portal in Quezon City. However, the water elevation at La Mesa Dam has been going down in recent weeks, forcing Manila Water to gradually suspend the cross-portal supply sharing. This development will mean less supply for Maynilad to distribute, resulting in longer daily service interruption schedules starting April 1," Maynilad said. —NB, GMA Integrated News