Manila Water, Maynilad discuss emergency water-sharing arrangement
Maynilad says no agreement has been finalised, while Manila Water says sharing must not affect supplies to its own customers.
Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc. are discussing a possible arrangement to share supplies during emergencies if El Niño causes water shortages, according to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO).
MWSS RO chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty told a Senate budget hearing that Manila Water had spare capacity that could be sold to Maynilad as a backup supply. The proposed arrangement would allow water to move between the companies’ service areas.
Maynilad told The Philippine Star it had no finalised agreement to announce. Manila Water corporate communications head Dittie Galang said protocols were already available and previous cross-border agreements had allowed either concessionaire to receive water according to need.
Galang said any sharing arrangement must leave Manila Water able to meet its customers’ demand, with their supply taking priority.
Both utilities obtain most of their water from Angat Dam. Manila Water supplies Metro Manila’s East Zone and several towns in Rizal, while Maynilad serves the West Zone and parts of Cavite.
Ty said discussions were also under way on similar arrangements for Laguna and Bulacan. In Rizal, he said, an existing bulk supply agreement covers several water districts.
