MANILA, Philippines - West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is set to complete by April five new reservoirs worth P2 billion as part of efforts to improve water supply and pressure in elevated portions of its service areas.

The new reservoirs are located in Magdiwang and Aguinaldo, Cavite, Toclong, Quezon City, and Muntinlupa City.

Maynilad said the impounding facilities would add 23 percent or about 140 million liters per day (MLD) to the company’s water-holding capacity.

The combined volume of stored water is enough to meet the supply requirements of about 1.3 million Maynilad customers.

“Our goal is to provide 24-hour water supply at a strong pressure for our existing customers, as well as for expansion areas. Building additional reservoirs will help us to attain that goal,” Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said.

Since its re-privatization in 2007, Maynilad has built 28 reservoirs – up from only eight reservoirs before the West concession was re-privatized under new owners.

The Pangilinan-led water company is spending P13.2 billion for its water and wastewater infrastructure projects this year.

Bulk or about P8.2 billion of this year’s capital outlay will go to water infrastructure projects to ensure sufficient water supply and pressure in the West Zone.

Nearly P4.2 billion has been set aside for improvement works in its water treatment plants, construction and upgrade of pumping stations and reservoirs, laying of primary pipelines for water service expansion, and enhancements of common purpose facilities.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the country in terms of customer base. It serves the areas of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, and certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, Makati and Cavite.