By Madelaine B. Miraflor
Manila Water Company, Inc. is hoping to close a “cross-border” water sharing deal with Maynilad Water Services, Inc. as part of its efforts to address its unstable water supply.
An earlier report showed that customers of Manila Water will continue to experience low pressure to no water service interruptions throughout the summer months, while Maynilad doesn’t see the need yet to reduce its water supply discharge at least in the next few weeks.
To be specific, Manila Water sources its water from Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system. While water level in Angat and Ipo are still relatively high, La Mesa Dam already reached its critical level this week.
Unlike Manila Water, Maynilad doesn’t get water from La Mesa, which is why the company has not yet issued scheduled supply interruptions.
Manila Water Chief Operating Officer Geodino Carpio said on Tuesday that his company is hoping to finalize this week a "cross-border" sharing deal with Maynilad to tap the latter's surplus water.
To proceed, the two companies should first agree with the tariff rates to be applied on the water sharing deal, but Carpio noted it shouldn't translate to a significant increase in the overall water rates of Manila Water customers.
Right now, Manila Water is in talks with Maynilad to tap at least 32 million liters per day (mld) from Maynilad's Putatan Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa.
"When Maynilad lost water supply in 2010, we provided for them. But we are now looking at technical solutions ," Carpio told reporters on Tuesday.
"The deal should last until we need it and for as long as Maynilad is willing to provide to us," he added.
Right now, Manila Water is trying to fast-track the commissioning of a new water treatment facility in Cardona, Rizal, construction of which has been delayed for several months.
The facility should soon contribute as much as 30 mld to the company's water supply, and another 50 mld by the end of this month. By August, Manila Water should be able to fully utilize the plant at 100 mld capacity.
However, Carpio said the additional supply that will come from Cardona as well as the “cross-border” water sharing deal with Maynilad is still not enough to solve Metro Manila's water woes.