Water security tops MWSS’ agenda

We would like to thank Peter Wallace for writing about the importance of developing a new water source for Metro Manila (“Twiddling your thumbs [3],” Inquirer, 7/19/12).

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) too has been advocating for the efficient management of water resources and sustainable development of new water sources. As correctly mentioned, the population of Metro Manila is vulnerable to water shortage. Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water supply, occasionally falls below operating level especially during El Niño episodes. We expect these episodes to become more frequent due to climate change. In response, the MWSS embarked on several projects and programs aimed at ensuring the reliability and sustainability of water supply for Metro Manila, as part of its Water Security Legacy Program.

In his column, Wallace mentioned that the proposed Laiban Dam has not progressed and it seems nothing else is being done. Please allow us to correct this impression.

The MWSS, with technical assistance from the World Bank, reevaluated Laiban Dam and other possible options. A particular source has been identified also in the Agos River basin and we are already at the advanced stage of pre-construction activities for the development of a new water source. The National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines has validated the hydraulic data of the identified source and we expect to bid out the contract under a public-private partnership scheme very soon.

For its part, the MWSS completed the Angat Water Utilization and Improvement Project (AWUAIP Phase 2) which was inaugurated by President Aquino last July 17. A new aqueduct that bypassed a deteriorated segment of an existing aqueduct was constructed eight months ahead of schedule. This project will improve the reliability of water conveyance from Angat Dam to the La Mesa and Balara treatment plants, and will allow the recovery of approximately 397 million liters per day of water that would have otherwise been lost to leakages in the conveyance system.

The MWSS is also undertaking the Angat Dam and Dike Remediation Project, with an estimated cost of P5.7 billion to be funded by the national government. It has been approved by the Neda-ICC (National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee) and will soon be submitted to the Neda board for approval.

On the other hand, Manila Water and Maynilad have been able to bring down “nonrevenue water” (water that has been produced and is “lost” before it reaches the customer) to 12 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

With this, we hope to assure you, and the public in general, that water security for Metro Manila is at the top of our agenda. We are continuously exerting efforts to deliver reliable and uninterrupted water supply service.

—GERARDO A.I. ESQUIVEL,

administrator,

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System