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MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED 2:23 PM) Record-high turbidity levels caused by nonstop rains have caused water supply in some northern Metro Manila areas to turn yellow, but Maynilad said this water is safe to use for washing purposes, and boiling it before drinking can be an extra precaution. The other concessionaire, Manila Water, said it had not yet received reports of discoloration but was conducting water sampling tests.
The water concessionaire is cutting off production levels by 400MLD to facilitate the clearing of water, officials said.
Maybilad spokesperson Bim Ocampo-Mojica said that sustained rains over Ipo and Angat Dams had caused a spike in the level of sediments and dirt, which mixed with the water, to a high 1,200 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit), from the normal 80-100NTU. This is the highest turbidity level reached since 2004.
As a result, the water company is doing clearing operations in parts of North Caloocan, Fairview, Commonwealth, Novaliches and Valenzuela.
Mojica stressed, though, that the water remains safe to use for household purposes, though boiling it for drinking purposes is strongly advised---echoing earlier advice by the Department of Health.
"Maari ring balutin ng puting tela ang gripo para salain ang tubig [White cloth can be tied around the faucet in order to filter the sediments and dirt from the water]," said Mojica.
Maynilad expects the color of water to normalize Wednesday afternoon, about 2PM-3PM.
Meanwhile, also as part of clearing operations, Maynilad cut back production levels to 1,780 MLD, from the usual 2,000 MLD in other areas.
Affected by this operation and expected to have lower water supply are parts of the Quirino-Roosevelt area, South Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas. They are areas upstream and at the endpoint of the service area, Mojica explained.
As of now, Maynilad cannot say exactly when water volume will normalize in these areas, but has fielded seven water tankers for its customers.
Customers may call Maynilad’s hotline at 1626 for queries or complaints
Manila Water: water sampling
The other private concessionaire, Manila Water, issued this statement, meanwhile: "Though we have received no reports of water discoloration, Manila Water regularly monitors the quality of the water in our system and regularly conducts water sampling jointly with DOH in more than 860 sampling points to ensure the potability of water we supply to our customers. We are currently providing water through our tankers in various evacuation centers within our concession area."
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