I would! Water is an integral part of our daily lives and these service interruptions can really disrupt our daily routine.
Residents of Metro Manila started to experience rotational water supply last year. As early as now water concessionaires are reminding its customers that this situation may last throughout the summer months. This can be frustrating for consumers especially those who are fetching water from roving water tanks during said interruptions. In case you don’t know, fetching and storing water can be a laborious task. So why do we have to go through regular water service interruptions when we are paying for water services that aren’t cheap?
Sadly, the water shortage issue is more complicated than you think. If we don’t do something about it we might end up with no clean water at all. Rotational water supply is tough to deal with, imagine what would happen if the water supply runs out. People have accused water service providers like Maynilad and Manila Water as being responsible for the shortage.
Water concessionaires and the government are already pursuing measures to alleviate the problem. But since it’s also our concern, we should look into our possible contribution to the solution. I am part of a group called Mommy Bloggers Philippines and we recently had a tour at the La Mesa Water Treatment Plant 2, Angat, and Ipo Dams to learn more about the water crisis and find out how we can help address it.
There are currently two private companies servicing the water needs of Metro Manila. Maynilad covers the west zone which is comprised of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Malabon, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Valenzuela, most of Manila, parts of Quezon City and Makati, and some cities and municipalities in Cavite. On the part of Manila Water, they are providing service to Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, most of Quezon City, some areas of Manila and Rizal. Water from both companies is drawn from Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan where 96% of the entire water demand of Metro Manila is sourced from.
In terms of customer base, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is the largest water concessionaire in the Philippines. They provide water and wastewater services for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area with a customer base of more than 9.7 million people. As part of their operations, they maintain 4 Water Treatment Plants, 22 Wastewater Plants, 36 Pumping Stations, 32 Reservoirs, 28 in-line boosters, and a total of 7,713 kilometers water pipelines laid. These facilities may be enough to deliver clean water to your homes but it’s another story when the water supply itself becomes inadequate.
One of the measures undertaken by Maynilad to address the shortage is the rotational water service interruptions. This usually happens when water levels in the dams reach below normal levels and concessionaires are given less than their usual raw water allocation. Customers are given advance notice of the service interruption schedule so they can store water beforehand. The duration of the water interruption depends on several factors including the hydraulic configuration of pipelines or the household location, actual raw water supply and volume of withdrawal.
Those living near pumping stations or those in low-lying areas are likely to have shorter service interruptions compared to those in highly elevated areas. Lower raw water allocation also means less water for distribution. Customers can also be a cause of delay in supply resumption. According to Maynilad, drawing too much water after service resumption will prevent supply from reaching highly elevated and fringe areas. Be warned though, drawing too much water after resumption may also cause your water bill to spike.
According to the National Water Resources Board reduced allocations will remain in effect until June 2020. This means that we can expect daily rotational service interruptions until allocation levels are raised or returned to normal. So what can we do to help address water supply levels? On the part of Maynilad they have already implemented mitigating measures since last year. These include:
As for us consumers, we can start using water more responsibly and teach our kids to do the same.
Economize. Using showers and water hoses can be wasteful with water. You’ll have more control over your water consumption by using a pail and dipper. Do this when bathing, cleaning, or watering the plants. You can also save water by soaking dirty dishes on a basin with water during pre-washing instead of running it through the faucet. Another economical tip is to water plants on its roots instead of the leaves.
Never let the water run. This usually happens when brushing teeth or handwashing, especially with kids. Remember to turn the faucet OFF when you soap your hands or as you brush your teeth. Also, watch out for leaking faucets and make sure that they are properly turned OFF.
Re-use or Recycle. Yes, these eco-friendly practices can also be applied to water use. For instance, water used for washing vegetables can still be used for watering the plants. Bath water can be used for cleaning the bathroom or flushing the toilet. Laundry water can also be used to cleaning outdoor areas or even your car.
Report leaks and illegal connections. Leaks and illegal connections don’t just wastewater, it can also compromise the quality of water going through the pipes. Thus, it is in everyone’s best interest if these are immediately reported to authorities. Be mindful of internal leaks in your house also, as this will not only waste water but also cause your water bill to spike. Have your trusted plumber check.
Alamin ang tipid-tubig tips ni Tatay Rico para sa wais na paggamit ng tubig ngayong panahon ng El Niño.
Like it or not we are part of the water shortage problem. If we do not change how we treat the environment and be more responsible in our water use then we might just end up losing this valuable resource. No effort is too big or too little when it comes to water conservation. Let’s all do our part in being a solution to the water shortage.
For more information on Maynilad’s operations, you may please visit the following:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayniladWater/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maynilad
Website: http://www.mayniladwater.com.ph/
In recent years, the conversation around climate change and environmental sustainability has intensified, with the…
Cemex Philippines opened its newest warehouse to meet the increasing demand for high-quality construction materials.…
This Lenten season, people often opt to look for healthier meals. Luckily, foodpanda has your…
Enstack, the AI-powered mobile app that enables everyone to be entrepreneurs, announced today the launch…
As the summer sun turns up the heat this dry season, Home Credit Philippines, one…
Over 20 million views and 700,000 engagements in less than one month have been earned…