West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is reminding customers to store enough water for the Holy Week service interruption that will be caused by its network enhancement activities, meant to ensure that all facilities are in good working condition.
These activities include facility maintenance works, pipe decommissioning, pipe interconnections, and valve replacements at various points of its water network, as well as some leak detection and repairs. Maynilad usually conducts such maintenance works during the Holy Week, when fewer customers are expected to be home, thus lessening the impact of service interruptions on water consumers.
This will cause five-hour to 30-hour water service interruptions in parts of Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Parañaque, Pasay, Las Piñas, and Bacoor in Cavite, from Holy Tuesday (April 16) to Black Saturday (April 20). For the complete list of affected areas and their corresponding water supply interruption schedules, visit www.mayniladwater.com.ph.
To ensure that affected customers have enough safe water during the scheduled interruption, Maynilad is providing the following tips on how to store water safely:
- As much as possible, store water in containers that have covers. Water stored in open containers should be used within one or two days. Boil the water if intended for drinking or cooking.
- Store water in multiple containers, large and small. Drinking water should be stored in clean and disinfected containers that can be firmly closed.
- Light and warmth promote algae and bacteria growth, so store containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Water stored in plastic containers should be kept away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances because vapors from these products can penetrate plastic.
- Never store water in containers that were previously used to store toxic substances.
- Freeze water for additional supply during the water service interruption. Once melted, the ice can be used for cooking or drinking.
- To avoid water contamination, clean cisterns, drums and overhead tanks before filling them with water.
- Empty household bleach bottles can be used to store water for cleaning.
- Use clean food-grade containers to store water for cooking and drinking.
- Disinfected plastic soda bottles, glass canning jars and juice bottles can be used to store water for drinking and cooking.
For further information regarding the Holy Week water service interruption, affected customers may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626.