Teams to fix open hydrants, leaking water pipes

With a water crisis hovering over Metro Manila, Maynilad water has mobilized teams to locate and fix open fire hydrants and leaking water pipes.

Maynilad Water instructed its contractors to be on alert 24/7 to respond to reports of open fire hydrants or leaking water pipes.

"Naka-standby ang team namin. Kame-meeting namin sa aming contractor para magkaroon ng 24/7 response (Our teams are on standby. We have also met and instructed our contractors to ensure 24/7 response)," said Yolly Lucas, head of the Maynilad engineering and construction department in an interview on dzBB radio Wednesday.

Lucas made the assurance amid reports of leaking pipes and open hydrants in parts of Metro Manila.

In Manila, dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported water had been flowing from a leaking pipe since Tuesday morning at the corner of Tayuman Street and Rizal Avenue, Manila.

The leak prompted local residents to line up and get their water supply there. Tricycle drivers also took advantage of the leaking water and washed their vehicles there.

Initial investigation showed the pipe leaked when a local contractor accidentally damaged it with a jackhammer.

Meanwhile, in Valenzuela City, water sprang from a fire hydrant left open by Malabon City firefighters after refilling their tanker at midnight Tuesday. The hydrant is located at the corner of MacArthur Highway and Pio Valenzuela Street.

Local residents are angry over the incident, saying they had already been suffering from water service interruptions.

Manila Water to help Maynilad

Manila Water, the other concessionaire for Metro Manila, said within this week, it will start supplying Maynilad with 36 million liters of water a day.

Manila Water spokesman Jeric Sevilla said they are deploying 10 tankers to affected areas.

"Any day this week maari na natin simulan ang paglipat ng 36 million liters per day sa cross-boundary (Any day this week we can start giving 36 million liters per day)," he said on dzBB radio.

Source: GmaNews