lalaine.tiangco@mayniladwater.com.ph

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) plugged 22,500 pipe leaks in 2020, bringing total leaks repaired to almost 300,000 since its re-privatization in 2007 when it inherited one of the oldest pipe networks in Asia. 

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led water company spent around Php189 million in 2020 alone to repair pipe leaks, most of which were found on secondary and primary lines in Quezon City, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa. 

Some of these leaks were not visible aboveground, requiring the use of state-of-the-art technology—such as the Sahara® mobile leak detection system—to isolate and detect before repairs could be implemented. The Sahara® system accurately detects leaks, pockets of trapped gas, and structural defects in water lines. Maynilad is reportedly the first Asian water utility company to use such technology. 

Active leakage control is a vital component of Maynilad’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management Program, which seeks to bring down physical and commercial water losses. Other initiatives under this program include the replacement of old pipe segments and meters, conduct of anti-water pilferage activities, installation of pressure-regulating valves, and establishment of District Meter Areas. 

“Notwithstanding pandemic-related restrictions, we continue to deploy field personnel to sustain our leak detection and repair activities. The more leaks we are able to repair, the more we can improve water pressure in the pipelines,” said Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado.   

Maynilad currently serves around 9.8 million people and is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Superhighway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province. 

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West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) planted around 13,000 tree saplings and mangrove propagules at the Ipo watershed and the coastal areas of Cavite in 2020, as part of its watershed management program that aims to prevent soil erosion and flooding. 

Under its “Plant for Life” program, Maynilad planted 1,500 mangrove propagules along the Manila Bay coastline of Kawit, Cavite, with the help of local community volunteers. Mangroves can help protect the shore from floods, as well improve the quality of water in Manila Bay. 

Moreover, Maynilad and several partner organizations planted around 11,500 trees over 28.5 hectares of the Ipo and La Mesa Watershed last year. Some 15 million people in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces rely on the Ipo Dam, as well as the Angat and La Mesa watersheds, for their daily supply of potable water. Reforestation of the denuded Ipo watershed will help to prevent the soil erosion that causes high turbidity levels in the raw water supply. 

Since the inception of “Plant for Life” in 2007, Maynilad has planted almost 600,000 indigenous trees (like narra, acacia, amisan and cupang) in the Ipo Watershed. The water company has also planted 208,000 mangrove propagules along Cavite coastal areas since 2013. 

For 2021, Maynilad aims to plant 8,000 more tree saplings and mangroves in these vital watersheds to cover an additional land area of approximately 20 hectares. 

“Reforestation is an important part of watershed management initiatives that keep our water resources sustainable. We thank all like-minded organizations who send volunteers to help us in this endeavor,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.  

“Plant for Life” is done with the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), local government units (LGU), and some private organizations.  

Maynilad, which is part of Metro Pacific Investments group, is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the agent and contractor of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.