More than half a million households or 70% of Maynilad customers are now enjoying stronger water supply at pressures ranging from seven to 20 pounds per square inch (psi).
Before the consortium of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings Inc. took over Maynilad in January 2007, only 45% of the water concessionaire’s customer base received water supply at 7 psi.
The improved pressure throughout the West Zone are mostly felt in Commonwealth, Quirino and Roosevelt in Quezon City; Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, North Caloocan, South Manila, and portions of Pasay, Parañaque and Cavite.
“Noong araw, kung wala kang pump dito, wala kang tubig. Ngayon, kahit walang pump, may tubig nang tumutulo sa gripo. Sa lakas ng pressure, pati shower may tubig na rin,”Sampaloc, Manila resident Anghelina Benedicto said, adding that they are now able to save on electric bills since they stopped using booster pumps.
Water pressure also improved in areas farthest from the Angat Dam water supply source, like in Parañaque where pressure increased by as much 3 to 5 psi.
“Malaking kaluwagan na bukod sa nakakamenos ka sa kuryente at water delivery, dahil maganda ang tubig ay napapadali ang gawain mo sa bahay gaya ng paglalaba, paglilinis at paghuhugas,” Felipe Maghibon of BF Homes-Parañaque said.
Maynilad plans to connect some 140,000 additional households to increase its service coverage to 84%, and provide all served areas with water pressure of 7 psi. or higher, by 2011.
At 7-psi. minimum pressure, water can reach a height of up to five meters (or the second floor) without the aid of a booster pump.