The Metro Manila Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee (MMDWQMC) gave West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) a 100% satisfactory compliance rating for the entire third quarter of 2012. The perfect rating confirms that the water being distributed by Maynilad is safe for drinking.
The MMDWQMC tests water samples on a monthly basis from over 866 points spread throughout Maynilad’s concession area. While the committee only requires Maynilad to maintain 807 sampling points, the water company voluntarily expanded its sampling coverage since its reprivatization in 2007.
“We are committed to providing our customers with potable water which is why we are doing more than what is required of us to be able to stay true to this commitment,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas.
Water collected from designated sampling points is tested for microbiological quality, as well as for physical (taste, color, odor and turbidity) and chemical properties (residual chlorine, pH, hardness, metals, pesticides, etc.).
This strict test is done to ensure that the water meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) of the Department of Health (DOH). Maynilad has been receiving 100% compliance rating since 2010.
DOH National Capital Region director Eduardo Janairo has been urging the public to drink tap water, saying it is safe to drink and has essential minerals that are beneficial to health.
The MMDWQMC is composed of representatives from the DOH, various local government units in Metro Manila, Environmental Management Bureau, National Water Resources Board, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office, and the two MWSS concessionaires. The health guidelines for the PNSDW are based on World Health Organization standards.
Maynilad is owned and managed by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings, Inc. The largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, Maynilad serves 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.
