West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) maintained 100% satisfactory compliance with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) of the Department of Health (DOH) for the entire first half of 2013.
Since 2010, Maynilad has consistently received 100% satisfactory compliance rating from the Metro Manila Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee (MMDWQMC). The MMDWQMC conducts monthly water sampling in 886 points across Maynilad’s concession area. These samples undergo strict bacteriological, physical and chemical examination to ensure that the water is safe for consumption.
“Water quality is our utmost priority. We continuously invest in our infrastructure, systems and procedures to ensure that the water we deliver is potable,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas.
In 2012, Maynilad’s Water Safety Plan (WSP) was recognized by the World Health Organization and the International Water Association as the Overall Winner of the Drinking Water Safety Awards. The Maynilad WSP covers all phases of the company\’s operations—from water collection, treatment, up to the end of the pipeline. It also contains hazard analysis, risk assessment, and control measures in containing or removing water contamination brought by landslides, El Niño, chemical forest fire, illegal logging, among others.
Maynilad has also taken extraordinary steps to ensure that its systems and procedures meet stringent international standards. Last year, the company was awarded ISO certifications in quality, environment, and safety and health management for its water distribution system, which covers over 6,900 kilometers of pipes and seven pumping stations including their reservoirs located across the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area.
The Maynilad water distribution system is the longest ISO-certified facility of its kind in the Philippines. It stretches from North Caloocan to Cavite Province and delivers over 2,000 million liters of potable water per day to over 8 million customers.
The MMDWQMC is composed of representatives from the Department of Health (DOH)-Center for Health Development – Metro Manila, DOH-National Center for Health Facility Development, Manila Health Department – Public Health Laboratory, Marikina Clean Food Laboratory, Makati Health Department, Pasay City Health Department, Parañaque City Health Department, Quezon City Health Department, Las Piñas City Health Department, Caloocan Health Department, Malabon Health Department, Navotas Health Department, Valenzuela Health Department, Muntinlupa Health Department, Mandaluyong Health Department, San Juan Health Department, Pasig Health Department, Pateros Health Department, Taguig Health Department , National Water Resource Board, Environmental Management Bureau, MWSS Regulatory Office, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. The committee is tasked to monitor the quality of water being served by the two concessionaires.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is a concessionaire of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), 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.