Manila Water readies facilities to ensure enough supply amid typhoon threats
Three of the major treatment plants tat supply water to Metro Manila have already been prepared to reduce the impacts on production that could be triggered by strong typhoons amid the declaration of the start of the rainy season, Manila Water said on Sunday, June 11.
In a statement, Manila Water said this is one of the measures that they effected to ensure that its facilities can continue to run even with the heavy rains, flooding, and power outages that come with the monsoon season.
According to the company, each facility includes a generator to guarantee that activities continue even when the power is off. In case of floods, sandbags and dewatering pumps are also available.
“The workers at the company's water treatment plant adhere to a stringent process that includes securing their emergency supplies of food, gasoline, batteries, medical and first aid supplies, and system backups,” the statement read.
To avoid downtime, Manila Water said it has been doing routine and preventative maintenance on its existing 48 water pumping stations and 41 reservoirs.
Manila Water has eight emergency reservoirs in Metro Manila’s East Zone and the company said they are all set to supply potable water to evacuation centers and augment water supply during typhoons and other disasters.
These emergency reservoirs are located at Amoranto Stadium, Pinyahan Elementary School, Project 6 Elementary School, Quirino Elementary School, Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City; Cainta Elementary School in Barangay San Roque, Cainta; Mayamot Elementary School in Antipolo City; and San Juan Elementary School in San Juan.
Manila Water also increased its mobility during disaster setting with the commissioning of emergency vehicles in case disaster relief and rescue operations will have to be undertaken.
The emergency fleet includes four mobile treatment plants, a mobile stage, a mobile command center, a mobile toilet, a mobile sleeping quarter, an amphibious vehicle, a tractor head, six 4x4 rescue vehicles, an ambulance, an all-terrain vehicle, a jet ski, three speed boats, and five folding boats. (Nicole Magmanlac)