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Maynilad to tap Laguna Lake for water supply

Thursday, December 04, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]

By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo Reporter


MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said it plans to tap the Laguna Lake to boost water supply in the southern part of its concession in the West Zone of Metro Manila.


In a statement, Maynilad said that it is eyeing the development of a 10-million-liters-a-day Muntinlupa Water Treatment Plant that would source water from the Laguna Lake for distribution to under-served areas in Muntinlupa.


Rogelio Sison, Maynilad president, said that the proposed project is part of the company’s 2009 capital expenditure program, under which it has lined up investments of P7.69 billion to improve its infrastructure.

The major components of Maynilad’s capital expenditure next year include programs for the management of non-revenue water or water lost due to leaks and illegal connections, provision of operations support such as the upgrading of facilities and replacement of primary lines, implementation of wastewater treatment projects and development of new water sources.


The company’s proposed capital spending next year includes major pipeline replacement projects to facilitate the recovery of non-revenue water for possible delivery to areas with low supply, as well as to expansion areas in Novaliches, North Caloocan, Quezon City, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite.


The program also includes the upgrade of Maynilad’s pumping stations and reservoirs, which would increase water pressure along the trunkline and allow better control of supply through the timely storage and release of water, thereby addressing the low and peak demand of customers.


Singson said that these infrastructure investments would be undertaken by the company’s new owners, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings Inc. to improve operational efficiency and service levels in Maynilad’s concession area.


He said Maynilad’s capital expenditures next year are intended to extend the benefits that were attained with the implementation of construction projects worth P5 billion and P8 billion in 2007 and 2008, respectively.


“Considerable improvements are already being felt in areas where Maynilad rehabilitated the pipelines. But there is still much to be done. Our goal is to provide more people with access to potable drinking water 24 hours a day, at an average of 7 pounds per square inch water pressure,” he said.


In light of this, the approval of the utility’s proposed tariff adjustment next year “is crucial in sustaining Maynilad’s ability to improve its services,” the executive said.


The company’s tariff rates are currently undergoing a rate rebasing exercise, a periodic review conducted by regulators on utility’s investment plans and the needed adjustment in its rates to effect these projects.

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