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MANILA, Philippines — Expect water service interruptions from two to three days in some parts of Metro Manila and the neighboring Cavite province as the Maynilad Water Services will start the realignment of its pipe in Blumentritt, Manila, that lies directly in the path of the government’s P560-million flood interceptor project.
The interceptor project has been designed to direct flood waters from the northern part of the metropolis to Tondo and then Manila Bay.
But the service disruptions “will not be as extensive as those planned in the Holy Week,” said Jennifer Rufo, head of Maynilad’s Stakeholders Communications office.
In an e-mail to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, she said on Tuesday that customers of the utility firm “will experience lower water pressure that may last from anywhere between 48 hours and 72 hours.”
Rufo also said that they “plan to start implementing preparatory excavations this October.”
“Scheduling (of the diggings) will have to be well coordinated (with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Manila city government). Also, we’re still working on the initial proposed traffic plan with the DPWH,” she noted.
Earlier, the Maynilad executive disclosed that March 31, 2015 would be the target completion date for its pipe realignment project.
The pipe, which has a diameter of 1.2 meters, lies on the intersection of Juan Luna and Hermosa Streets. On the other hand, the DPWH’s water catchment facility is 3.3 kilometers long, 6 meters wide and 3 meters deep.
The agency “is requesting that we complete (the pipe realignment) possibly by February 2015,” said Rufo.
“To accommodate an earlier completion date, our contractors would need to completely block off Juan Luna Street from traffic so they can facilitate the construction work,” said Rufo.
“We still have to finalize the (street blocking) implementation plan with the DPWH, which may also proceed with some of the remaining portions of its drainage box culvert parallel with our own activities,” she added.
Maynilad was forced to cancel its pipe realignment activity during the Holy Week due to a defective 30-year-old valve.
In April, the water company said it would conduct “24/7 water rationing” in hospitals in its service areas in Metro Manila and Cavite.
It also said stationary water tanks would be installed in the Baseco and Parola compounds in Tondo, Manila, as well as parts of Cavite for the duration of the cutoff between April 16 and 19.
Service interruptions are planned in the following areas: Parts of Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Pasay City, Makati City, and Caloocan City, parts of Imus and Kawit in Cavite; the entire cities of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Parañaque, and the entire Bacoor City and Noveleta town, both in Cavite.
Maynila also urged customers to store enough water for the duration of the service interruptions.
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