MANILA WATER Company, Inc. said it is working with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Water Resources Board to maximize the output of water treatment plants in Rizal and Marikina and tap deep wells to adequately service those areas.
Contingency plans include the maximized operations at the Cardona Water Treatment Plant, which draws water from Laguna de Bay, which has a capacity of 100 million liters per day (MLD), and the Marikina Portable Water Treatment Plant, which has a capacity of 20 MLD and draws water from the Marikina River.
It will also look into the operation of deep wells which can provide additional 115 MLD, Manila Water said in a statement.
“We continue to put our plans into motion to support MWSS’ call for continuous supply in our concession area given the current pandemic and as we head towards the summer season,” Manila Water President Jose Victor Emmanuel A. De Dios said.
Manila Water said these contingencies were also prepare for the low water levels being reported the past few weeks.
On Wednesday, the Angat Dam registered a level of 199.06 meters (m), which is 11.97 m lower than the year before. Ipo Dam and La Mesa Dam also registered levels of 98.67 m or 1.36 m lower and 79.15 m or 0.51 m lower, respectively.
Other initiatives include backwash recovery, treatment of wastewater byproduct, and water pressure management across the East Zone concession area.
Manila Water said that while supply augmentation measures are in place, it is still promoting the responsible use of water.
“While the government and the concessionaires work together to provide the needed water supply, the public is encouraged to use water wisely and responsibly to minimize water wastage,” the company said.
Manila Water said it will work with the MWSS for a future Calawis Antipolo Source System and East Bay Water Supply Project, which will source water from the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay.
It is also working on the construction of a new 15-kilometer (km) aqueduct and 6.4-km tunnel that will stream 1,600 MLD of water towards La Mesa Dam. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson