MANILA, Philippines - Water service provider Maynilad on Sunday, August 14, advised some residents of Metro Manila to stock up on water, after it was forced to reduce water production to remove sediments.
In a statement Sunday, Maynilad said it has reduced the output of its La Mesa Treatment Plants 1 and 2 by 400 million liters per day (MLD) so it can remove the increased sediments from the raw water.
The increase in the sediments was caused by soil erosion, which was triggered by monsoon rain in the Angat watershed area.
Erosion has increased the turbidity level – or the amount of sediments – at the Angat Dam to 1,600 nephelometric units (NTU) from the normal level of 300 NTU.
The reduction in water production affects about 850,000 accounts or 66% of the West Zone, which covers parts of Manila, Quezon City, and Makati and the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon.
Maynilad said elevated areas may experience reduced to zero water supply.
"We are continuously monitoring the raw water quality in Angat Dam and conducting the necessary system adjustments so we can return to normal water production levels at the soonest possible time," said Maynilad's water supply operations head Ronaldo Padua.
Maynilad will deploy 54 water tankers so it can deliver potable water to affected areas. Customers may request for water tanker delivery through its special water tankering hotline 737-3311.
For the latest updates, customers can visit the company's social media accounts (Twitter: @maynilad, Facebook: MayniladWater).
The monsoon rain displaced more than 69,000 people and increased the threat of landslides and floods, particularly in low-lying areas across the western portion of Luzon.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council advised the public in coastal, low-lying, and hazard-prone areas to be on alert. – Rappler.com