Maynilad ramps up sewer cleanup to help ease floods during rainy season

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has intensified its wastewater operations this rainy season, ramping up inspections and declogging efforts to prevent sewer overflows and help mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Although the company maintains its wastewater systems year-round, the rainy season brings increased risks of blockages in the sewer network, particularly in areas with combined or hybrid sewer systems where rainwater mixes with wastewater.

To address this, Maynilad has deployed additional teams to clean interceptors, manholes, and sewer lines, especially in flood-prone cities such as Quezon City, Pasay, Parañaque, and Valenzuela.

“Interceptor boxes are installed at the end of drainage lines to catch combined flows and divert wastewater to our sewer network for proper treatment,” said Maynilad Wastewater Management Head Engr. Zmel D. Grabillo. “Unfortunately, these systems can get blocked by trash that’s swept into drainages during floods.”

As of June 2025, Maynilad reported having cleared over 285 kilometers of sewer lines and cleaned more than 3,500 manholes. These preventive maintenance activities ensure that wastewater reaches treatment plants and helps minimize overflows that can worsen during downpours.

While storm drain maintenance falls under the responsibility of local government units, Maynilad’s ongoing sewer system upkeep reduces the load on drainage infrastructure — indirectly supporting flood prevention efforts.

The company also coordinates with LGUs and stakeholders to safeguard public health and environmental safety.

“We ask the public to be responsible with waste disposal,” Grabillo added. “Even small acts like properly segregating trash can help prevent blockages that cause flooding.”

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), serving large parts of Metro Manila and Cavite, including Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, Muntinlupa, and several Cavite municipalities.