Maynilad pilots new AI technology for pipe condition monitoring

by Info @Brand Zone | July 4, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is now utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to identify areas in its water distribution system with high likelihood of leaks, thus enabling the company to detect pipe leaks more quickly and efficiently.

The AI technology that Maynilad tapped for this purpose is called Infrawise, which is owned and developed by Portugal-based AGS (Administração e Gestão de Sistemas de Salubridade), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation. Infrawise is an AI decision-making software that analyzes and identifies critical areas in the pipe network where Maynilad should focus its leak detection and pipe replacement activities.

Maynilad began testing the application of this technology in October 2023 over an area covering 1,700 kilometers of water pipelines. After this pilot run, the AI software produced a map that identified vulnerabilities over 750 kilometers of these pipelines, which later resulted in the positive identification of 1,525 leaks.

“Through this advanced AI technology, we can proactively identify and address potential leaks in our water distribution system. This not only enables us to respond more swiftly and efficiently to pipe network issues, it also significantly enhances our ability to conserve water resources and improve service reliability for our customers,” said Maynilad Chief Operations Officer Randolph T. Estrellado.

Following the successful pilot run, Maynilad is expanding the monitoring coverage of Infrawise to another 1,500 kilometers of pipelines.

Aside from monitoring and assessing pipe condition, Maynilad also uses AI technology to detect underground pipe leaks. For this particular initiative, Maynilad tapped the technology of satellite-based infrastructure intelligence company Asterra, particularly its patented algorithms that track the spectral “signature” of potable water underground captured in a satellite image. The leakage information that the AI algorithms pick up are thereafter captured in a Geographic Information System report that specifies street locations, enabling Maynilad to fast-track the process of detecting and repairing underground leaks. 

Integrating AI in Maynilad operations was driven by the need to maintain efficiency and accelerate the reduction of water losses. The company is continuously exploring other advanced technological solutions that have the potential to augment its existing equipment and capability on leak detection.

Maynilad signs a PHP10 billion loan with Metrobank to deliver better service quality to customers

by Info @Brand Zone | May 24, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has tapped Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) for a PHP10-billion loan to bankroll its capital requirements this year as it aims to provide better water service coverage and availability to consumers.

As part of its ongoing commitment to optimize water management, enhance service quality, and contribute to build a more sustainable and resilient water utility sector, Maynilad said the 10-year loan, maturing in 2034, will be used to fund its capital expenditure requirements this year.

Specifically, proceeds will be utilized to help improve its water service coverage, increase water sources, reduce non-revenue water, improve sewerage coverage and treatment facilities, upgrade water treatment plants and facilities, and improve water availability.

“With this loan, we are in a better position to pursue our capital expenditure program that will further enhance water services for our over 10.3 million customers. This supports our commitment to meet our service obligations and achieve sustainable growth,” said Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado.

“Enabling our partners to empower Filipinos with essential resources is in line with our goal of helping communities grow. We are happy to support Maynilad through this loan deal because it is part of our commitment to ensure that every community in the country thrives,” said Metrobank Institutional Banking Sector Head Mylene Caparas.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

Maynilad: No service interruptions at current allocation; advises managed consumption to mitigate possible lower water pressure

by Info - @Brand Zone | May 3, 2024

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) thanked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) for maintaining the raw water allocation at 50 cubic meters per second (CMD) for the period May 1 to 15, 2024, noting that it is needed given the increasing water demand due to the heat index.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) earlier asked the NWRB to retain its 50 CMS allocation from Angat Dam, which serves as primary water source for Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, and portions of Cavite and Bulacan.

Maynilad said that at 50 CMS allocation, there will be no service interruptions within the West Concession, except for scheduled and emergency maintenance activities. However, Maynilad cautioned that the increasing water demand could lead to lower network pressure despite this sustained allocation, unless consumers work together to manage their water consumption.

This call for water conservation among consumers is crucial so that the stored water in Angat Dam can be preserved until the rainy season comes to replenish. Meanwhile, the concessionaire is augmenting the water supply by drawing water from other sources, such as deep wells, reused water, and rivers.

“Even before the El Nino phenomenon set in last year, we have been developing alternate water sources to augment the growing water requirement of customers. These alternate sources are now being fully utilized, so we ask consumers to also reinforce this effort by using water wisely,” said Maynilad Corporate Communications head Jennifer Rufo.

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Maynilad

Higit sa tubig ang aming serbisyo

Hotline: 1626

Cavite Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-1000-92837

Bisitahin ang official website: www.mayniladwater.com.ph