MANILA, Philippines — Because the times call for more frequent hand washing and bath-taking, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it has requested for the distribution of additional water allocation to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“In support to the effort of the government to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and to keep up with the increasing demand, MWSS has requested the NWRB (National Water Resources Board) the increase of water allocation to be distributed by the Concessionaires from 42 cubic meters per second (CMS) to 46 CMS,” the MWSS said in a statement on Friday.
“The increased allocation would allow 24- hour water supply and intended to reduce water service interruptions to major parts of the MWSS service area,” it added.
Manila Water and Maynilad distribute water in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.
The MWSS, likewise, assured consumers that availability and delivery of water supply despite the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.
“Despite the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, the MWSS maintains the manning of our Umiray-Angat-Ipo Dam, and existing waterworks and water conveyance systems to ensure the availability and delivery of water supply, considering the importance of water in undertaking preventive measures against the spread of corona virus,” it said.
The MWSS added that the drinking water supplied to customers by its concessionaires is “safe” and “compliant” with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW).
MWSS also said it endorsed the exemption of the following concessionaire employees from travel restrictions under the month-long quarantine to ensure “unimpeded delivery of essential water related activities and services and to make sure that treatment plants continue to operate throughout the public health emergency:”
- Personnel involved in the management of Water-related Goods- importation, domestic transport and sale of equipment, devices, and chemicals;
- Personnel involved in the management of employees and service providers such as contractors, haulers, and related service providers;
- Personnel of contractors that perform indirect services such as security, sales, technical and other support personnel as well as employees of third-party contractors during sales, installation, maintenance, and essential repair works.
The MWSS then appealed to the public “to stay calm and just store enough water.”
“As we face the continuing challenge in the midst of this crisis, the MWSS and its Concessionaires’ will remain committed to serve the public and implement measures to cope with the future water supply requirements for Metro Manila and other service areas within MWSS jurisdiction,” it added.