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 offers desludging services this June

by Info @Bulgarific | June 19, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this June in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.

Maynilad’s sanitation program is one of the company’s efforts to lessen pollution loading into Metro Manila’s river systems. “We ask our customers to avail of this service, as it will help to protect community health and the environment,” said Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado. 

Customers residing in Barangay 1, 10, 81, 82, 84 to 88, 90 to 95, 97 to 99, 101 to 103, 105, 106, 108 to110 in Caloocan; Brgy. Pamplona 1 and 3, and Pulang Lupa Dos in Las Piñas; Brgy. Catmon, Maysilo, and Tugatog in Malabon; Brgy. Putatan and Sucat in Muntinlupa; Brgy. Bagumbayan North, Bangculasi, Daang-hari, San Rafael Village, Sipac-Almacen, Navotas East and West, and Tanza in Navotas; Brgy. Don Bosco and San Martin De Porres in Parañaque; Brgy. Batasan Hills, Bagong Silangan, Capri, Commonwealth, Gulod, Holy Spirit, and San Agustin in Quezon City; and Brgy. Balangkas, Lingunan, Mabolo, Mapulang Lupa, and Punturin in Valenzuela City may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service. 

Moreover, some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly in Brgy. Aniban 2, 4, and 5, Mambog 1, Molino and Molino 6 and 7, Niog 2, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East in Bacoor City; and Buhay na Tubig , Carsadang Buaya, Malagasang 1G, Malagasang 2-D, Medicion 1-A to 1-D, Medicion 2-A, Medicion 2-C, Medicion 2-D, Molino 5, Palico 1, Poblacion 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-C and 4-D, Tanzang Luma1-6, Toclong 1-A, 2-B, and 2-C in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around Php 4,700 per truck.

Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures. Additional information is also available in the company’s website, www.mayniladwater.com.ph, and social media accounts (X: @maynilad, Facebook: /MayniladWater).

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 (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), 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 increases renewable energy use by 15%

by Info @Brand Zone | June 18, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has increased the use of renewable energy in its operations by 15 percent through its partnership with MPower, the local retail supply arm of Meralco.

Under the partnership, MPower will supply renewable energy from solar and biomass sources to run nine Maynilad facilities, particularly the water treatments plants at La Mesa Compound in Quezon City and at Brgy. Putatan in Muntinlupa, and the pumping stations in Pasay, Las Piñas, Quezon City, and Parañaque.

With this shift to 15 percent clean energy, Maynilad can reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by nearly 18,000 tons per year, which is equivalent to 4,284 gas-fueled cars off the roads.

“At Maynilad, we are committed to sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint. Increasing our use of renewable energy by 15% is a significant step towards our goal of carbon neutrality by 2037,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez. “This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and our responsibility to future generations.”

The company will continue to reduce its carbon emissions in the next five years, as it is set to expand renewable energy use to more of its facilities. Maynilad targets to further increase its utilization of green power by 30 percent in 2025, and 40 percent by 2027.

Since 2021, Maynilad has started reducing its dependence on the conventional power grid through the installation of two solar farms that supply 2 megawatts to augment the power requirements of La Mesa Treatment Plant 1 and several pumping stations within the La Mesa Compound.

Maynilad’s move to increase clean energy utilization is aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which aims to reduce the Philippines’ GHG emission to 75% by 2030.

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.