Maynilad boosts water reserves

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is stepping up efforts to secure water supply for its customers as the looming El Niño threatens to intensify dry conditions, banking on reduced system losses and alternative water sources to cushion the impact.

The West Zone concessionaire has brought down its non-revenue water (NRW) level to 29.3 percent as of end-September 2026, from 32.8 percent during the same period last year, allowing more treated water to reach consumers instead of being lost through leaking pipes, illegal connections and defective meters.

Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Christopher Jaime Lichauco said the company has recovered a cumulative 288 million liters per day (MLD) of water since 2019 through its NRW reduction initiatives, an amount equivalent to the capacity of nearly two water treatment plants.

The company is targeting a further reduction of NRW to around 25 percent by 2027 as part of its long-term strategy to improve supply reliability.

Beyond plugging water losses, Maynilad is preparing additional supply sources over the next three months, including a modular treatment facility in Molino, Cavite, a new treatment plant in Pasay expected to begin operations next week, and increased utilization of deep wells.

President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito Fernandez said these initiatives would complement existing facilities and strengthen the company’s ability to meet demand during prolonged dry weather.

Maynilad currently draws water from Laguna Lake, the Parañaque Water Reclamation Facility, Muntinlupa’s Poblacion treatment facility and the Angat Dam system through the La Mesa treatment plants.

Lichauco said the company also intends to reduce its dependence on Angat Dam by strengthening its southern water supply facilities and upgrading three treatment plants drawing from Laguna Lake.

These improvements would allow Maynilad to redirect between 70 MLD and 100 MLD of water to northern service areas when needed, providing additional flexibility in managing supply disruptions.

The country’s weather bureau expects the dry spell’s effects to persist through the first quarter of 2027, raising concerns over water availability as temperatures climb during the summer months.

Meanwhile, Maynilad reported stronger financial results for the first nine months of 2026, with net income benefiting from lower interest expenses and higher interest income despite increased spending on infrastructure and service improvements.

Its revenues rose 3.5 percent to ₱28.6 billion, supported by a 2.8-percent increase in billed water volume, a 2.85-percent rate adjustment approved by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and growth in customer numbers.

Capital expenditures likewise increased 5.1 percent year-on-year to ₱19.5 billion, reflecting investments in network efficiency, water service upgrades and wastewater facilities.

The company reported 95.2-percent service coverage, while 24-hour water availability reached 94.5 percent. Wastewater coverage also improved to 95.7 percent from 90.4 percent a year earlier.