Maynilad steps up projects and operations for El Nino

Maynilad is fast tracking key projects in its concession area's water supply to manage the effects of El Niño.

Maynilad intensified operations by increasing its teams of deployed engineers and contractors from 30 to over 90. This will enable recovery of around 40 million liters per day (MLD) of water, to partially offset the reductions in its raw water supply due to El Niño.

Maynilad is completing its Putatan Water Treatment Plant, which is scheduled to produce an initial 50 million liters of water per day (MLD) by May. The state-of-the-art treatment plant uses a multi-stage process of Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), Microfiltration, Reverse Osmosis and Chlorination to ensure that the water from Laguna Lake passes the Department of Health (DOH)-issued Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW).

The West Zone concessionaire is working on the commissioning of its new Villamor pumping station by April. The Villamor facility has a reservoir that can store up to 10 million liters of water. It also has the capacity to pump water to the high areas in the southern portion of Maynilad’s concession area. In effect, the company can store water during off-peak hours and then pump the supply when customer demand is higher.

Maynilad serves over 7 million customers in Metro Manila and parts of Cavite. Its concession area includes the cities of Manila (excep 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

Source: Maynilad Press Release Feb 20, 2010

Maynilad undertakes massive leak repair program

In preparation for the long dry season, Maynilad is undertaking a massive leak repair program to lessen the effects of reduced rainfall on Metro Manila’s water supply. Maynilad earlier received a memorandum from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to implement a 60-day suspension of all
regulations, ordinances, or other issuances that would restrict or prohibit the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires from conducting leak repairs.

With this directive, the water concessionaire can undertake a massive leak repair program to avert water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby areas. Maynilad is prepared to spend around P314 million on the said program which will address not only the simple vertical leaks (those involving customer meter assemblies) but also the leaks found along the company’s primary lines.

At the start of this year, Maynilad tallied a total of 2,965 leaks to be repaired, while receiving an average of 105 leak reports per day. The water company has a team of leak detection engineers and 30 contractors that will address water leaks in the West Zone.

After completion, the repair works are estimated to save as much as 40 million liters of water per day. Maynilad’s concession area covers 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 Hiway), Caloocan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

To report pipe leaks and illegal connections in these areas, the public may call Maynilad Hotline 1626. The number is available 24/7.

Source: PSE Disclosure: Feb 8, 2010

Philweb

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PhilWeb Corp.(PSE:WEB), the country’s first listed online technology firm, confirmed that it set up a P1billion company that will operate mobile lottery games as part of a strategy to expand horizons.

Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, WEB Chief Information officer confirmed, the new firm, PhilWeb Mobile Lottery Corp., was granted a certificate of incorporation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Its primary purpose is to operate either alone or in partnership with others mobile based lottery games and other related mobile game
offerings.