West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is under investigation by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) due to numerous customer complaints received concerning water supply and quality.
In a statement on Friday, the MWSS-RO said it issued a Notice to Explain to Maynilad on June 8, 2022 after the regulatory office saw a surge in customer complaints through various communication channels, including social media.
“These complaints reported prolonged and recurring water supply and quality issues in the West zone, particularly in the cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and parts of Cavite,” the MWSS-RO said.
The regulatory office expressed alarm over the complaints since Maynilad has a current allocation of more than 2,400 million liters per day (MLD) at the Novaliches Portal, and implementation of various measures to mitigate the impact of problems surrounding its Putatan Water Treatment Plant.
“The office is gravely concerned about the adverse effects of the continuing water supply and quality issues on the health and welfare of the consumers,” it said.
“The MWSS-RO recognizes the importance of ensuring an adequate supply of potable water for all customers, especially during this difficult time of the pandemic,” it added.
Sought for comment, Maynilad said, “We acknowledge the concerns raised by our regulators, and are doing everything we can to restore normal service given current constraints on the quality of the raw water source.”
“Ongoing treatment interventions have resulted in quicker resolution to this algal bloom episode compared to previous years, as a gradual increase in our water production is already being felt despite persistent high algal count in Laguna Lake. Meantime, we continue to deliver potable water via mobile tankers, and establish a daily supply availability schedule so that affected customers can store water for their needs,” the company said.
“This situation is temporary, as the onset of the rainy season is expected to dissipate the effect of the algal bloom on the lake’s raw water quality,” it added.
The MWSS-RO, however, said that in a meeting held on June 9, Maynilad explained that water service interruptions had to be implemented in the southern part of the West zone due to the reduced water production attributable to high algal count in the Laguna Lake, and the delay in delivery of algae mitigating equipment.
Nonetheless, the regulatory office directed Maynilad to fast track the resolution of the persisting issues.
Maynilad then committed to significantly improve water production by June 11, Saturday, and to resume full production no later than June 15, Wednesday, the MWSS-RO said.
“The MWSS-RO warns Maynilad that it will not hesitate to impose the appropriate sanctions, disallowances, penalties, and/or fines on the concessionaire for any verified violation of its contractual obligations, or any failure to efficiently and prudently provide water, sewerage, and sanitation services to all of its customers,” it said.
Based on the concession agreement, Maynilad is expected to provide an uninterrupted 24 hour supply of water to all connected customers in its service area, and to ensure that the quality of water being supplied to its customers is compliant with the Philippine National Drinking Water Standards set by the Department of Health.
The MWSS-RO assured affected customers that their welfare and interests are prioritized while investigations are ongoing in light of these issues.
Maynilad provides water and wastewater services to residents in most parts of the City of Manila; northern and western parts of Quezon City; western parts of Makati City; and the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Navotas, and Malabon in Metro Manila.
It also serves the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, as well as the cities of Bacoor, Cavite, and Imus in the province of Cavite.—AOL, GMA News
MWSS probes Maynilad over surge in customer complaints
Source: News Panda Philippines
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