Maynilad Water Services said its two water treatment plants in Muntinlupa have increased production amid the severe supply interruption that has left thousands of customers without water for up to 18 hours per day.
“Matapos isagawa ang system adjustment sa aming mga planta sa Putatan, Muntinlupa, umakyat na sa 72% ang water production mula sa dating 35%, dala na rin ng unti-unting pagbaba ng turbidity level sa raw water na nagmumula sa Laguna Lake (After doing a system adjustment to our plants in Putatan, Muntinlupa, our water production has climbed to 72% from 35%, brought about also by the gradual decrease in the turbidity level of raw water coming Laguna Lake),” said Maynilad in a notice posted on its Facebook page on Jan. 28.
It added that because of this, customers can expect a shorter schedule of water service interruptions (WSIs) in affected areas in the south.
The water company added that it continues to monitor the turbidity level of Laguna Lake and clean the filtration membranes of the water plants to resume the normal water service as soon as possible.
Maynilad previously announced that customers in Muntinlupa and other areas will experience water service interruptions until Feb. 15 from the original schedule of Jan. 20.
The severe water interruptions have prompted the Muntinlupa City Council and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) headed by chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty to investigate Maynilad.
Since Maynilad implemented the water service interruptions, many customers have complained that they only get water at midnight that will last until 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. They also said the water coming out of their faucet is yellowish or brown in color, making it unusable.
A Maynilad representative recently told a briefing held by Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon that 70 percent of the company’s customers in Muntinlupa were affected by the water service interruptions. The water service interruptions were caused by algae bloom and high water turbidity.
The Putatan Water Treatment Plants (PWTP) in Muntinlupa get raw water from the Laguna Lake that is used to supply potable water to customers.
The Muntinlupa City Council will hold a public hearing on the problem with Maynilad representatives.
On the other hand, the MWSS-RO announced on Jan. 24 that it is investigating Maynilad about the water service interruptions.
“The investigation is being conducted primarily to determine whether there is a ground to declare Maynilad to have failed contractually on its service obligations, and to impose the appropriate penalties on the Concessionaire,” said Ty.
“Considering the corrective actions and long term solutions being taken at the PWTP since the second (2nd) quarter of 2021, the MWSS RO is expecting the PWTP to be operating at its maximum design of 300MLD, and Maynilad to be complying with its service obligation of providing all customers with an uninterrupted supply of potable water at 7 pounds per square inch (psi) minimum pressure,” Ty added.
He said, “The unusual large number and duration of the announced WSIs have greatly inconvenienced customers within the coverage area of the PWTP in the Cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Paranaque, Pasay, Bacoor, Imus, and Cavite, and the Municipalities of Noveleta and Rosario.”
Last Jan. 11, the MWSS-RO served a Notice to Explain to Maynilad for WSIs at its PWTP’s supply zone from Dec. 6 to 22 and from Dec. 27 to Jan. 15.
After Maynilad announced that the WSI will last until Feb. 15, the MWSS-RO against issued a notice to Maynilad to explain.
“The agency also directed the Concessionaire to implement mitigating measures to alleviate the impact of the WSIs; utilize all accessible online and offline communication channels to effectively inform and update customers on the list of affected areas, schedules, and other pertinent details of the WSIs prior to implementation; ensure strict adherence to its announced WSI schedules, water tankering schedules, and static tank locations; and immediately address inquiries or concerns on social media, website, hotline, or email regarding the WSIs,” said Ty.