Maynilad opens P70-M water laboratory

WEST ZONE water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. announced the recent opening of its P70-million water laboratory that will test water quality and wastewater effluents in its concession area.

In a statement on Tuesday, the water provider said its new water laboratory is situated inside the La Mesa Compound in Quezon City and has analytical instruments that can be used to study compounds in water samples taken from more than 1,100 sampling points.

Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez said the new water laboratory has allowed the company to save money on water quality analyses.

He added that the new facility has improved Maynilad’s capability to conduct water testing and treatment.

“This is important because we want to assure our customers that the water and wastewater produced by our treatment facilities pass the government’s strict standards,” Mr. Fernandez said.

Aside from water quality, Maynilad said the new water laboratory also tests effluents of its wastewater treatment facilities to ensure that standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are met and maintained.

Further, the company said the water laboratory is equipped with instruments that allows Maynilad chemists to check and measure organic compounds and other by-products that may be present in bodies of water.

Maynilad provides water for areas in the west zone of the National Capital Region, namely: Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, Manila, Makati, and Quezon City; and parts of Cavite province, including Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave