Maynilad facility processes wastewater for potable reuse

Maynilad has started operating a reclamation facility and new water treatment plant that provides potable water using a "direct potable reuse" process.

-  BELLA CARIASO

The company says the facility, which provides potable water to two pilot barangays in Parañaque City, is the first of its kind in Asia.

Under this system, Maynilad New Water officer-incharge Danica Parafina said the facility provides at least 10 million liters per day (MLD) to barangays San Dionisio and San Isidro and covers at least 38,700 customers.

The facility became operational on Oct. 26.

"Maynilad proved that it can treat and recycle water. Our common practice is the wastewater goes to the creaks, rivers. But now, Maynilad showed the opportunity that water can be treated so that customers can again reuse it," Parafina said in an interview recently with The STAR.

She pointed out that Maynilad started to develop other sources of water after the 2019 experience where the water level in Angat Dam reached its lowest critical level of 157 meters amid the El Niño phenomenon.

"Maynilad saw the opportunity that wastewater can be treated so that customers can reuse it and lessen our dependence on Angat Dam," Parafina pointed out.

Aside from this, the increasing population and the effect of climate change were among the reasons on the need to develop new alternative sources of water, she added.