‘Brace for stricter water interruption’

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Monday warned its customers of a “stricter implementation” of its rotational service interruption schedule that has been in place for several months now as the water level at Ipo Dam goes down.

Also, Maynilad and Manila Water Co. Inc. have cued preventive maintenance and repair activities in preparation for the summer months when raw water supply at the dams — including Angat in Bulacan and La Mesa in Quezon City—are reduced significantly.

“Water level at Ipo Dam has been going down gradually due to less runoffs at the Ipo watershed,” Maynilad said in an advisory.

The Pangilinan-led concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said Ipo’s stock was no longer reaching the maintaining level of 101 meters above sea level in the past few days. As of 6 a.m. on Monday, water level at Ipo Dam was pegged at 100.05 masl.

Allocation of raw water from Angat remains at 42 cubic meters per second. The MWSS allocation was maintained at that subnormal level — normally at 46 cms — as part of efforts to conserve supply for the summer months, according to the National Water Resources Board.

“Because of this, we advise our customers to be mindful of their assigned rotational service interruption schedule,” Maynilad said. “Expect a more strict implementation of the schedule in the coming days until the water level at Ipo Dam increases. Store only the volume of water that you need daily.”

Also, Maynilad announced network enhancement activities in the cities of Muntinlupa and Parañaque to mitigate the impact of the reduced raw water allocation from Angat Dam in preparation for the summer months.As a result, some Maynilad customers in parts of Muntinlupa and Parañaque and even Las Piñas City will experience temporary water service interruption from 6 a.m. of March 4 until 7 a.m. of March 5.

The company said it had water tankers on standby, ready to deliver water to affected areas as needed.

“Please be advised that after the said activities, the rotational water service interruption schedule — due to reduced raw water allocation from Angat Dam — in these areas will remain in effect,” Maynilad added.