Potable water finally flows to BF Homes

AFTER nearly 25 years of severe water shortage, potable water finally flows to BF Homes-Parañaque, known to be the largest subdivision in Asia. Maynilad has connected more than 300 households in the subdivision, which is composed of over 10,000 households.This development came after the completion of several pipelaying projects last January 2009, upon the request of the homeowners in seven out of the 25 enclaves in the subdivision. These areas include Tirona, ACRA, BF Central, Whitegold, TEHA (Teodoro Evangelista Homeowners Association), Agelor and VOB (Vinzon, Olandriz and Benitez Sts.).

The seven enclaves now receive surface water supply at an average pressure of 5 pounds per square inch (psi.) during peak hours (4:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and 15 psi from 12:00 midnight to 4:00 a.m. which could easily fill up the overhead water tanks of the connected customers. Even at 5 psi. pressure, water could still reach the kitchen sinks of these households.

Maynilad continues to lay pipes in various portions of BF Homes-Parañaque. The series of pipelaying works marks a major development in the West Zone concessionaire’s effort to provide the residents of BF Homes with safe, reliable and affordable water.

In the past, residents of this subdivision sourced their water supply from several deepwells operated by Philippine Waterworks and Construction Corporation (PWCC). But in the last two decades, PWCC has been unable to provide the residents with adequate water. The quality of their water also steadily worsened due to the deterioration of the deepwells and depletion of groundwater supply.

“I remember mga eight years ago when we were still supplied by deep wells, minsan putik na ang lumalabas sa tap namin. Yung mga damit at tiles sa bathroom at kitchen nangingitim. At least now I no longer have those problems with Maynilad,” said Violeta Dizon of Tirona.

Because of poor water quality, BF Homes residents relied solely on costly water deliveries for their daily needs.

“We would spend around P3,200 for water we buy from water haulers, and P300 a week for mineral water. Now we’re saving some P2,000 a month on water, both for drinking and general use, and around P1,000 on electricity since we no longer use our deep well. Besides the savings, ang laking ginhawa na pag kailangan mo ng tubig, pagbukas mo ng gripo, merong lumalabas. Naging ‘normal’ ang takbo ng buhay ng mga residente dito,” said Virgilio Leynes of Agelor.

PWCC’s failure to provide the residents with adequate water supply subsequently compelled Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. to exercise his “police powers” at the request of BF homeowners associations, allowing Maynilad to immediately construct a new water system inside the subdivision.

The water situation in BF Homes also prompted the National Water Resources Board to deny PWCC’s application to continue providing water to the subdivision.

Parañaque’s water supply greatly improved as a result of Maynilad’s ongoing service improvement projects in the city. Since 2008, the company has filled the gaps on the 1,050-mm line along the Coastal Road, laid an 800-mm mainline along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, installed a 900-mm mainline along SLEX West Service Road, and completed lateral pipelaying projects along President’s Avenue, Aguirre, and El Grande Avenues.

For BF Homes alone, Maynilad has invested P7.6 million to improve water service in the area.

“I’d like to thank the various agencies who worked with us to make the delivery of water and provision of individual service connections to BF Homes a reality. As you know, water is a basic necessity, and this is an answered prayer for the residents of BF Homes,” Parañaque Mayor Bernabe said.