Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) reported that its NEW WATER treatment plant in Parañaque City has been granted a permanent operational permit by the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH–MMCHD) In a statement, Maynilad said the facility converts used water to drinking water and the permit was finally granted after eight months of stringent monitoring. The permanent operational permit was issued after Maynilad’s NEW WATER showed consistent adherence to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), and strict compliance with requirements set forth in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines”. “Our receipt of a permanent operational permit for the NEW WATER Facility in Parañaque marks the start of our gradual expansion of direct potable water reuse applications, in line with efforts to develop other sustainable sources of raw water supply,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez. Maynilad’s Parañaque NEW WATER Treatment Plant receives treated used water from a sewage treatment plant (STP) and converts it into potable water that meets PNSDW. Last October 24, 2022, the DOH-MMCHD initially granted Maynilad a Conditional Operational Permit, allowing it to operate the facility for one year, during which time it had to consistently pass stringent monitoring of PNSDW compliance. The issuance of the permanent operational permit is an affirmation that the facility met all requirements during the monitoring period. This facility, which currently serves two barangays in Parañaque City, was recently cited as “Water Reuse Project of the Year” at the prestigious Global Water Awards for moving the industry forward through innovative technology adoption. Maynilad is now working to expand its NEW WATER output by constructing similar treatment facilities that will catch the treated used water from its other STPs for conversion to potable water supply.