Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Friday stopped the implementation of rotating service interruptions after sediments in raw water at the Ipo Dam in Bulacan decreased to manageable levels.
However, Maynilad said customers should continue to keep and store water as turbidity might rise again—and affect potable water production—given the erratic weather patterns.
In a statement, the company said the improvement of turbidity—the concentration of sediments—enabled Maynilad to increase the volume of potable water at its La Mesa treatment plants.
The La Mesa plants in Quezon City get raw water from the Angat and Ipo dams, both located in Bulacan.
Maynilad explained that turbidity level increases due to soil erosion in the watersheds after heavy rains or due to the scraping of mineral deposits from the dams’ bottom during droughts.
Last week’s heavy rains caused turbidity levels to rise, forcing a reduction in the output of the La Mesa facilities.
Because of this, Maynilad announced on Tuesday that it would implement rotating, daily service interruptions in some barangays in Bulacan, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Manila, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Cavite.
“We have also commenced the filling up of reservoirs so that supply will be enough to meet the weekend water requirements of our customers,” Maynilad said on Friday.—RONNEL W. DOMINGO