MAYNILAD WATER Services, Inc. has set aside P743 million in 2018 to fund the construction of new pumping stations and reservoirs that will boost water pressure for thousands of its customers while connecting a million more to the west concessionaire’s network.
“We in Maynilad have made it our mission to improve the living conditions of our customers through better water access. Hence, we keep investing in the infrastructure enhancements needed to connect new customers and boost service levels for existing ones,” said Ramoncito S. Fernandez, Maynilad president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
The new facilities will be constructed in Valenzuela and Muntinlupa, and will have a combined water storage capacity of 75 million liters. They will allow the company to store more water for better supply management in the areas to be served. About 87,000 customers are expected to benefit from the improved water pressure.
The two pumping stations and reservoirs will be equipped with high-efficiency pumps that can raise water pressure to 16 pounds per square inch (psi) from the current 7 psi in the barangays Maysan and Gen. T. de Leon in Valenzuela, and Imus in Cavite.
They will also allow Maynilad to bring surface water to residents in the covered areas who either rely on deep wells for their supply or have limited-to-no-water access, Maynilad said.
The Valenzuela and Muntinlupa facilities are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2019. Ahead of these, the new facilities that will start operating this year include those in Bacoor and Imus in Cavite province.
Maynilad is an agent and contractor of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the west zone of the greater Manila area. Its coverage spans certain areas in Manila, Quezon City and Makati City. It also covers Caloocan, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon.
Outside Metro Manila, the company covers the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario — all in Cavite province. — Victor V. Saulon