For months, we wake up at 4:30 am, and there’s no water coming out of our faucet. We learned to store water and use it to prepare food and clean the mess in the kitchen. This has been our case for more than half a year already; no water supply from 4 pm to 5 am the next day. And though we’ve been used to this kind of system, it sometimes infuriates us. With seven members in our household – two of which are toddlers – water is vital.
The invitation
Then we got an invite from Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) to tour Angat Dam, Ipo Dam and their La Mesa Water Treatment Plant 2 facility. The tour enlightened us of our situation.
Residents of Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan share the raw water supply from Angat Dam. Last June 2019, our raw water allocation was reduced to preserve the remaining water in Angat Dam, which reached below critical level due to scant rainfall, and ensure that we still have water that we can use during summer months.
The reason
Given this situation, the water concessionaire was forced to implement daily rotational water service interruptions. It is the goal of the rotational water service interruption to maximize the limited supply and ensure that all customers enjoy water even within a few hours daily.
Save Water before It’s Too Late
The sad part, though, is that Maynilad Water Supply Operations Head Engr. Ronald Padua relayed that our area is high; thus, the water that comes out of our faucet sometimes weakly dribbles out. There is a need as well for pressure booster systems like a pump to help distribute water to households in areas like ours.
We further learned that Maynilad has a Reservoir within our place which stores water to serve its consumers. But because the water supply is limited, it has to be divided among many areas rather than go to one place. Some areas experience longer or shorter service interruptions owing to their location.
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The realization
We woke up today at 4:30 am, and as usual, no water came out of our faucet. Instead of feeling frustrated, we somehow feel heroic, able to help a family or two. In a way, too, we think that we help in our little ways, sacrificing no water supply for 13 hours to ‘save the day’ for other households.
As mentioned earlier, our recent trip to Maynilad’s facilities enlightened us. We are far more likely to accept change if we only understand the reason behind it. Even if the change fails to benefit us and find it unfair, we still embrace it because we learn the very reason behind it. Being left in the dark about why things happen tends to lead us to anger and assumption.
Knowing the story behind the water supply interruption in our place made me more forgiving of Maynilad. That there isn’t a reason for me to be angry in the first place, but should all the more help in disseminating information on how to conserve water.
Save Water before It’s Too Late
Speaking now as someone who regularly experiences water interruption, we appeal to all. Please conserve water. It is a bitter truth, but our water supply is depleting at an alarming rate. Let us all help alleviate the situation by being more cooperative. Just store enough water we need for the duration of the service interruption. Drawing too much water after service resumption prevents the supply from reaching highly elevated and fringe areas like ours.
Again, water is essential. Give importance to it and protect it not only for ourselves but for the next generation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to imagine or see our children’s children experience the water’s essence and natural taste?
Momi Berlin Directory
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Yes so true – this topic is insanely important!
This is a very timely post that orients it’s reader the value of saving water. As the temperature is getting hotter and hotter as each days passes by we need to know the effect of saving water and what benefit we can get from it. Loved this kind of post wherein, we get to be educated.
We are currently have drought issues in Australia, and we just need to change the way we live …. Thank you for sharing this great post, it’s time to start talking about this issue.
Thanks for this post. We need a lot more awareness in this world. We should be good stewards of our home.
Water crisis is awful.because of people. When the well is dry we know the worth of water. – Benjamin Franklin.
I experienced this before when I was still living in another part of BFRV. It was hellish. We really all need to do our part.
i couldn’t agree more! We do all need to be more mindful of ecological matters
Completely true.
We should all do our bit, to make sure, that we are saving something for the future generations.
Everyone needs to be more aware of what is going on in the world! We’re really ruining the planet…
Water is important for our survival. We should all work together so that we will have enough supply.
I wish this post could be read by all Ghanaians. Our water bodies being destroyed by illegal mining activities and seems there’s no permanent solution. This topic is sensitive and timely. Thanks for the post
This is such an important topic. A lot of water is getting polluted and destroyed we need to make sure we preserve this earth!
Thank you po fof the reminder. This is so timely!
Such a great read and topic. It’s so important to keep efforts to protect nature at all costs.
Indeed true. As a consumer, we have duties and responsibilities to conserve our water usage. We must all work together.