Maynilad allots P1.8B to replace 173 km of old, leaky pipes

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said Saturday it is targeting to replace a total of 173 kilometers of old, leaky pipes this year despite COVID-19 quarantine restrictions as part of its program to upgrade the distribution system and reduce water losses.

In a statement, Maynilad said it is investing P1.8 billion in 2021 for pipe replacement projects in various portions of its concession area.

“Once completed, this will bring the total length of pipes replaced to 2,869 kilometers, or 72% of the distribution system that the company inherited over 13 years ago following the 2007 re-privatization,” the company said.

“These pipe replacement activities will also allow Maynilad to recover around 33 MLD (million liters per day) of water, which is enough to supply the needs of around 33,000 households,” it said.

As of end-March, pipe replacements were completed in Valenzuela, Caloocan, Quezon City, Las Pinas and other locations, according to Maynilad.

The replacements include pipelines that Maynilad had to realign to give way for various government projects such as the construction of Metro Rail Transit 7, among others.

“Our pipe installation activities have lately become more challenging because of quarantine-related mobility restrictions. Nevertheless, we persist in implementing these network upgrades, as it will help to reduce water losses and increase water pressure for our customers,” said Maynilad chief operation officer Randolph Estrellado.

Maynilad is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (certain portions), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, 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. -MDM, GMA News