BIWC now integrating used water in treatment plant operations

Boracay Island Water Company Inc. (BIWC) has converted to the use of effluent wastewater instead of potable water to clean the dewatering facility, clarifiers and aeration tanks of its Boracay Island Water Sewerage Treatment Plant in Brgy. Balabag, which will let it save on operating costs while integrating used water in the process chain, the company's parent firm Manila Water Company Inc. (MWCI) announced Tuesday.

The new system, which the company said was conceptualized last year so that used water can be reused for plant operations, is now in daily use at the plant.

Boracay Water is a joint venture between Ayala-led Manila Water and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Its billed water volume rose by 26 percent to 3.1 million cubic meters (mcm) in 2012 from 2.5 mcm in 2011. Water service connections also increased 12 percent to 5,288 connections last year.

Manila Water saw a 28-percent year-on-year growth in net income to P5.44 billion for 2012 on higher billed volume, which increased 39 percent to 579.4 mcm, 427.3 mcm of which was used in the company's East Zone concession in Metro Manila.

The company's revenues increased 21 percent to P14.55 billion while its core income grew 27 percent to P5.72 billion. Its EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortization) rose by 29 percent to P10.54 billion. — BM, GMA News