Courtesy: issuewire.com
THE Committee on Metro Manila Development, chaired by Rep. Rolando Valeriano, conducted a meeting to discuss the allegedly depleting water supply for Metro Manila.
Top officials from water agencies and water concessionaires attended the meeting.
Rep. Joel R. Chua questioned why despite the abundance of water resources in the country, the lack of water supply has been a constant problem, especially during the dry season.
Engr. Leonor Cleofas, Administrator, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), claimed that the water sector’s lack of infrastructure development is the primary cause of water scarcity.
Reps. Eric Martinez and Luis Campos highlighted the need to evaluate if Laguna Lake could be a viable source of potable water, given its abundant water. Rep Campos underscored that it is high time the government could produce water surplus.
During the meeting, Cleofas presented several measures to address the impact of El Niño phenomenon which include the development and rehabilitation of water resources.
She mentioned the following existing water sources: 1) Angat Dam including Umiray River (4,148 MLD) water supply; 2) Laguna Lake (400 MLD); and 3) Tayabasan Weir – Wawa Calawis Phase 1 (80 MLD). Among its long-term plan include the construction of New Centennial Water Source – Kaliwa Dam Project which can yield 600 MLD upon completion in 2017. However, as of March 31, 2023, the design and construction phase of Kaliwa Dam is still at 21.098%.
In the meantime, the MWSS is providing immediate assistance to the two water concessionaires that now need to source water from their other water treatment plants, deploy water tanks, maximize clean water production of Cardona and Putatan watershed plants, and cross-share of water distribution in areas possible.
However, the MWSS and the concessionaires also face serious problems, one of which is the high level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) due to illegal tapping and leakage that contributes to the depleting supply and rotational water disruptions. It is reported that out of the 4,628 MLD existing water supply, Maynilad has 1,105 MLD NRW and Manila Water has 220 MLD NRW or a total of 1,325 MLD NRW which is more than double the water that the Kaliwa Dam can supply. This prompted the Members, upon a duly approved motion, to conduct a motu proprio inquiry focusing on the NRW of the water concessionaires.
According to Maynilad, efforts are done to reduce the NRW from the current 40% level to 20% by 2030. Mr. Randolph T. Estrellado, chief operating officer, Maynilad, said that it needs P29.6 Billion capital expenditure in order to replace old pipes and decrease the NRW level. Also, the concessionaires face challenges with the lengthy processing time to secure government permits for pipe repair and maintenance.
CMMD Chair Valeriano urged the water sector to proactively explore any ways and means, including the use of foreign technologies to desalinate lake water or extract voluminous moisture condensed and suspended in the air, to ensure water security for Metro Manila.
Rep Martinez warned the water regulators not to become complacent and value every drop of water, especially with the expected increase of global warming.
He urged the regulators to be creative in managing the demand and supply of water, particularly during the upcoming stronger El Niño from July this year to the first quarter of next year. Dr. Bonifacio Pajuelas, OIC-Deputy Administrator for Operations & Services, PAG-ASA, ascertained that this dry spell is 90% bound to happen.
