West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) recently launched its New Water project, which involves the recycling of used water for potable application. Maynilad officials led by President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez and Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado (4th and 2nd from left, respectively) spearheaded the event, which was highlighted by the drinking of New Water to affirm its potability. With them were Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Lester N. Ty (3rd from left), Parañaque Mayor Eric L. Olivares, City Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Bernardo Amurao, Department of Health–Environmental and Occupational Health Center (DOH-MMCHD) Head Dr. Wency Blas; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary for Field Operations-Luzon, Visayas and Environment Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna; and MWSS Administrator Engr. Leonor C. Cleofas (5th to 9th from left, respectively).
For its pilot implementation of the New Water project, Maynilad built a ₱450-million modular treatment plant that will collect the treated used water discharged by its Paranaque Water Reclamation Facility and convert it to drinkable water. This will yield 10 million liters of New Water per day, which will be fed into the distribution system for blending with the standard drinking water from Maynilad’s La Mesa Treatment Plants before being conveyed to Barangays San Isidro and San Dionisio in Parañaque City. The New Water that Maynilad produces has recently been given a Certificate of Potability by the Parañaque City Heath Office. The New Water project is Maynilad’s initiative to add to its alternative raw water source options so it can better augment supply during times of shortage.