Maynilad allots P1.4B to upgrade Putatan treatment plants 

Maynilad Upgrades Water Treatment Plants in Muntinlupa City

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is investing one billion pesos to upgrade its water treatment plants in Muntinlupa City.

Improving Treatment Processes for Sustainable Development

In response to the worsening quality of the raw water from Laguna Lake, Maynilad has allocated P1.14 billion to further enhance the treatment processes of its Putatan Water Treatment Plants (PWTP) 1 and 2. These upgrades aim to ensure sustainable development and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Material and structural reinforcement of existing silt curtain
• Strengthening of the sludge management system
• Provision of activated carbon dosing at the intake
• Replacement of all ultrafiltration membranes

The implementation of these upgrades in phases has enabled Maynilad to maintain normal water production since June 2023, despite sudden shifts in water quality. As a result, Maynilad customers in the south have experienced improved service availability compared to the previous year.

Maximizing the Strategic Value of Laguna Lake

Maynilad recognizes the strategic value of Laguna Lake as a water source for Metro Manila. Randolph Estrellado, Maynilad’s chief operating officer, emphasized the importance of the PWTP improvements in maximizing the lake’s potential. These enhancements are in line with the recommendations of the Public Utility Board (PUB) of Singapore, which assessed the facilities and shared their expertise with Maynilad.

Expanding Water Treatment Capacity

Maynilad’s PWTP 1 and 2 are the largest membrane-based water treatment plants in the Philippines. They were the first to utilize Laguna Lake as an alternate source to Angat Dam. Additionally, Maynilad is currently constructing a third treatment plant in Poblacion, Muntinlupa City, with a capacity of 150 million liters per day. These three water treatment plants are crucial for Maynilad’s plan to develop alternative sources of water, enhance service reliability, and promote water security.

Maynilad’s Concession and Coverage Area

Maynilad is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area. This includes various cities in Metro Manila and Cavite province. By investing in upgrading its water treatment plants, Maynilad is committed to providing sustainable and reliable water services to its customers while contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

Source: VBL, GMA Integrated News

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article discusses Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s efforts to upgrade its water treatment plants in response to the worsening quality of raw water from Laguna Lake. This directly relates to SDG 6, which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. Additionally, the upgrades in infrastructure align with SDG 9, which focuses on developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The improvements in water treatment processes also contribute to SDG 11, which aims to create sustainable cities and communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

The article highlights Maynilad’s efforts to upgrade its water treatment plants to improve water quality and ensure safe drinking water for all. This aligns with Target 6.1 of SDG 6. The enhancements in treatment processes also contribute to Target 6.4, as they aim to increase water-use efficiency and address water scarcity. The investment in upgrading infrastructure supports Target 9.1 of SDG 9, and the improvements in water treatment processes help mitigate the negative effects of sudden shifts in water quality, contributing to Target 11.5 of SDG 11.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Upgrade of water treatment plants to improve water quality
• Enhancements in treatment processes to maximize the strategic value of Laguna Lake as a water source
• Investment in upgrading water treatment plants to enhance service reliability for customers
• Improvements in water treatment processes to mitigate the negative effects of sudden shifts in water quality

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include the upgrade of water treatment plants to improve water quality, enhancements in treatment processes to maximize the strategic value of Laguna Lake as a water source, investment in upgrading water treatment plants to enhance service reliability for customers, and improvements in water treatment processes to mitigate the negative effects of sudden shifts in water quality.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators