Utility firms warn of water shortage by 2015

Failure to tap other source of water may result in acute water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces by 2015, the representatives of the Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. told Congress on Monday.

The water concessionaires raised the concern during a hearing with the House Com­mittee on Metro Manila development that the water coming from the Angat dam is not enough to supply Metro Manila residents.

“The water crisis might result in water disruption in many parts of Metro Manila in the years to come if we cannot tap other source of water,” said Job Lavares, head of the Maynilad Business Center.

Noelito Abesamis, Manila Water operations manager, told the house body that 90 percent of the water being processed by the two companies come from the Angat Dam.

Both said the remaining 10 percent should be sourced somewhere else by 2015.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) manager, Engr. Jose Dimatulac, had noted that while water supply in most parts of Metro Manila has improved, other areas continue to experience shortages because MWSS relies mainly on Angat dam for its source of water.

Quezon City residents who were present during the public hearing told the House com­mittee that they experience water shortage in some parts of the city while others complain of contaminated water in Ba­rangay Payatas.

The residents said the water supply is unsafe to drink, and showed to the committee the samples of the seemingly muddy water they brought with them.

Abesamis said the defective pipelines used by contractors are the cause of water conta­mi­nation in some parts of Metro Manila. “The other cause of contamination is the illegal water connections,” he said.

Lavares said about P39 million would be needed to replace the pipes in one sub­division alone. “This means that billions of pesos will be ne­cessary to address the situa­tion,” he added.

Both utility companies pro­mised they would give their full attention and cooperation in solving these problems and apprise the committee on their latest plans and programs. –Frank Lloyd Tiongson, Reporter, Manila Times