West Zone concessionaire Maynilad has resolved 6,113 leaks since the beginning of this year. The resolution figure is a 193% increase compared to the same period last year when the water company recorded 2,089 resolved leak cases.
The dramatic jump is attributable to the January 26 memorandum issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo suspending all regulations restricting leak repair operations in Metro Manila for 60 days. The directive was made to avert a water supply shortage in the National Capital Region and nearby areas, as a result of El Nino.
From over 30 teams of engineers and contractors in January, Maynilad increased its deployed teams to around 90 the following month. The move was made to address the significant increase in leak reports.
Maynilad received an average of 110 leak reports a day in 2009. In February of this year, the number of reports increased to 169. Due to its intensified leak repair program, Maynilad was able to resolve an average of 200 leak cases a day last month.
Since January, Maynilad has spent P27 million on its leak repair operations. The company is prepared to spend P314 million for its Non Revenue Water (NRW) reduction program this year.
In line with its aggressive campaign to bring down its system losses, Maynilad will also use the Sahara® Pipeline Inspection System – a state-of-the-art leak detection technology that accurately detects leaks, pockets of trapped gas, and structural defects in water main lines. The MPIC-DMCI company is reportedly the first Asian water utility company to use such technology.
Maynilad serves over 7 million customers in Metro Manila and parts of Cavite. Its concession area includes 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 Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila, and the municipalities of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite Province.