Maynilad boosts El Niño readiness as Angat Dam levels fall
Photo courtesy of Maynilad
Photo courtesy of Maynilad
Maynilad Water Services Inc. has strengthened its water supply and risk mitigation measures as Angat Dam levels continue to decline and the threat of El Niño persists.
The West Zone concessionaire said water supply across its service area remains stable as it works with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and other government agencies to manage evolving water conditions.
"Maynilad recognizes the concern over the continued decline in Angat Dam levels and the possible effects of El Niño. We have been preparing for these circumstances since previous El Niño episodes, particularly in 2019, when Angat Dam dropped to its historical low level," Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Christopher Jaime T. Lichauco said.
He said the company's water system now has more safeguards than it did during the 2019 El Niño.
"Angat Dam remains our main raw water source, but we now have more supplemental sources, lower water losses, expanded storage, and improved network management capabilities to help manage tighter raw water conditions," Lichauco said.
Among the company's major investments is the expansion of its Laguna Lake treatment facilities, which now have a combined capacity of 450 million liters per day (MLD) through the Putatan Water Treatment Plants 1 and 2 and the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant.
Maynilad also increased its total water treatment capacity by 173 MLD, from 2,700 MLD in 2019 to 2,873 MLD, through modular treatment plants, NEW WATER facilities, and deep wells.
The utility said its NEW WATER program, which uses advanced treatment technologies to convert treated wastewater into potable water, currently operates facilities in Parañaque and Valenzuela. A new 12-MLD facility in Pasay is expected to begin operations this year.
Reservoir capacity has likewise increased from 692 million liters in 2019 to 780 million liters. With the completion of the 40-million-liter Parada Reservoir and the 200-million-liter La Mesa raw water reservoir later this year, total storage capacity is expected to reach 1.02 billion liters.
Maynilad also highlighted improvements in its non-revenue water (NRW) reduction program. As of the first quarter of 2026, its average NRW had fallen to 32.0 percent, while period-end NRW stood at 30.7 percent.
The company said it recovered 256 MLD of water in 2025 through leak detection, pipe replacement, meter management, pressure regulation, and other network efficiency measures.
Maynilad added that it continues to optimize water distribution and has standby mobile water tankers and stationary water tanks ready for deployment should localized service interruptions occur.
Lichauco said the company's investments in new water sources, storage, treatment facilities, and network management provide greater flexibility in responding to reduced raw water availability.
Maynilad also urged customers to conserve water, repair household leaks, and report pipe leaks or illegal connections to help ensure a reliable water supply.