MPIW ramps up pipe replacement program to improve water supply

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The water distribution firm in Metro Iloilo continues its pipe replacement efforts after resolving saving its concerns with a bulk water supplier last week.

In a statement, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) said continuously “intensifies its initiatives in improving the water availability and pressure in Iloilo City and Municipalities of Oton, Sta. Barabara, Cabatuan, Maasin, San Miguel,Pavia and Leganes through its water development system masterplan.”

MPIW’s target water availability and pressure are 24-hours and 10 pounds per square inch (psi) for its service coverage area by 2045.

As of December 2021, MPIW invested 113 million pesos in its leak repair projects to combat water losses in the distribution network before it reaches the customers.

MPIW said it completed 28 water infrastructure improvement projects replacing 14, 888 linear meters of old, leaky pipes allowing MPIW to improve the water pressure and service availability for its 45,317 customers.

“We need to aggressively pursue the rehabilitation and replacement of the deteriorated pipes in our water distribution networks to prevent further loss of water, avoid contamination and improve the water pressure for our customer,” MPIW Chief Operating Officer Robert Cabiles said.

To date, MPIW has replaced almost 20,000 linear meters of old pipes since the company commenced in 2019.

It is equivalent to 4.4 percent of the approximately 433,129 linear meters water distribution network that the company inherited from Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

Other activities covered by its water loss reduction program include active leakage control, network diagnostics, reduction of water pilferage, meter replacements and district meter area management.

“We operate in one of the fastest growing provinces in the country, providing essential water supply services to more than 24% of Iloilo’s population, we will continue to upgrade and invest in water distribution network and sewerage infrastructure projects in ways that keep us at the forefront of environmental practices and meet the challenges of population growth and climate change,” Cabiles said.

MPIW is the joint venture company of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and Metro Pacific Water (MPW) that aims to improve water and sanitation services for the Ilonggo community.

MPIW was supposed to implement water rationing this week with the supposed expiration of its 10-year bulk water supply contract with FLO Water Resources Inc.

But local political leaders intervened and the two companies agreed to a 6-month provisional contract that will keep the water flowing until they have forged a new agreement.

For inquiries regarding water supply advisories and concerns, customers may reach MPIW via MPIW social media page or contact the following numbers +63 917 172 6749 and +63 908 818 8552.