Maynilad cracks down on illegal connections; recovers 560,000 cubic meters of water

by Info @Brand Zone | Oct. 1, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) recovered an accumulated volume of around 560,000 cubic meters of potable water that had previously been lost due to illegal connections, following its January to August 2024 implementation of 6,900 anti-illegal operations targeting unauthorized water connections, tampered meters, and unregistered lines across its service area.

This accumulated volume of recovered water is enough to meet the daily needs of around 3,500 water service connections, improving water supply availability and pressure for legitimately paying Maynilad customers. Additionally, this initiative generated Php62 million in revenues, as violators were required to settle their penalties and reconnect legally to the Maynilad water network.

Maynilad attributes the success of this initiative to the cooperation of local government units (LGUs), whose assistance was instrumental in enforcing the anti-illegal water campaign. Since 2016, Maynilad has successfully closed nearly 25,000 illegal water service connections, reducing losses and improving service delivery to legitimate customers.

“Our efforts to crack down on illegal water connections not only prevent the possible entry of contaminants in the system but also ensure that all customers receive their fair share of the water supply,” said Maynilad Customer Experience and Retail Operations Head Christopher J. Lichauco. “We are grateful for the support of the LGUs in our campaign to uphold water equity and discourage illegal activities.”

The closure of illegal connections form part of Maynilad’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management Program, which aims to bring down “physical” (i.e., from pipe leaks) and “commercial” (i.e., from water theft and unregistered consumption) losses. NRW is defined as the gap between the amount of water put into the distribution system and the amount of water for which customers are actually billed. Around 92% of water losses in the West Zone are due to physical losses, while the remaining 8% are due to commercial losses.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Its service area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City, Makati Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in the province of Cavite. 

Maynilad fixes over 28,000 pipe leaks in H1 of 2024

by Info @Brand Zone | Sep. 24, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has plugged more than 28,000 pipe leaks in the first half of 2024, bringing the company’s total number of leaks repaired to 523,111 since 2007 when it inherited one of the oldest pipe networks in Asia upon re-privatization. 

Plugging these leaks enabled Maynilad to recover in H1 2024 around 198 million liters of water per day, which is enough to supply the requirements of some 198,000 people. Maynilad aims to repair a total of 50,000 pipe leaks throughout its concession within 2024—its highest-ever annual target.

The repair of leaks in the distribution system is a major component of Maynilad’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management Program, which seeks to bring down physical and commercial water losses. For 2024 alone, Maynilad allotted P791 million for active leakage control. The company has increased its manpower complement so it can deploy more teams to conduct leak detection activities simultaneously over a wider area and to speed up the fixing of leaks.

Maynilad has also begun using artificial intelligence for detecting pipes leaks and for monitoring pipe condition so it can proactively replace pipelines even before a breakage occurs.

“Bringing down water losses is a task that we take very seriously, reason why we have dedicated more resources and tapped new technologies to find and plug leaks in the system. The public can also help in this effort by actively reporting pipe leaks and illegal connections to Maynilad,” said Maynilad’s Central NRW Division Head, Engr. Ryan B. Jamora.

Aside from leak detection and repair, other activities under Maynilad’s NRW Management Program include network diagnostics, establishment of District Metered Areas, replacement of old water meters, selective pipe replacement, installation of pressure-regulating valves, and anti-water pilferage drive.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Its service area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City, Makati Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in the province of Cavite.

Maynilad partners with DOST to develop waste-to-energy solutions through the DOST-Balik Scientist Program

by Info @Brand Zone | Sep. 21, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to explore waste-to-energy solutions, particularly in converting biosolids — an organic byproduct of Maynilad’s wastewater treatment process—into biogas.

This partnership, which emerged from Maynilad’s participation in the DOST’s “Balik Scientist Program,” involved tapping the expertise of returning Filipino scientist Dr. Mario Rebosura to help assess and pilot technologies that can transform biosolids into a source of renewable energy.

Maynilad is the first water utility to participate in the DOST-Balik Scientist Program, a government initiative aimed at promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge and advancing technology in the country. The program encourages Filipino scientists to return to the Philippines and share their expertise, enhancing the development of various sectors, including health research and development.

During his six-month stint with Maynilad under the program, Dr. Rebosura shared innovative approaches in biosolids management to fine-tune Maynilad’s ongoing study of waste-to-energy technologies. This collaboration supported Maynilad’s goal of reducing the environmental impact of biosolid disposal while also providing opportunities for energy generation.

“As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, Maynilad constantly seeks ways to reduce waste and promote circular economy principles. This partnership with the DOST allowed us to address the challenge of biosolid disposal while tapping into renewable energy solutions, which can benefit both our operations and the environment,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.

The DOST’s Balik Scientist Program played a pivotal role by linking Maynilad with Filipino scientists who have gained specialized expertise abroad. “We are excited about the potential of this project to contribute to the country’s renewable energy goals. This collaboration with Maynilad underscores the critical role of science in overcoming key challenges in the water sector.  Indeed, through science and technology, we can provide solutions and open opportunities for the Filipino people,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.