More accurate information on weather conditions assured as Maynilad taps intelligence provider

Maynilad enlists MetraWeather for weather data analysis

MANILA – Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) commissioned the services of an international weather intelligence provider MetraWeather to further enhance its forecast and climate data analysis, which will allow for quicker response to weather disturbances that may affect water service.

In a statement, Maynilad said site-specific forecasts of MetraWeather, the Wellington, New Zealand-based outfit will provide information on rainfall patterns, wind direction, and temperature in vital watersheds will provide them valuable advance information on weather trends that may impact Maynilad operations including sudden increases in turbidity level of raw water at Ipo Dam. With such information, the company will be able to implement immediate interventions that will mitigate the effect of high turbidity on its service to customers.

“Climate change has led to drastic shifts in rainfall patterns, which affect the quality of raw water supply. Given this, we have to keep stepping up our interventions so that water service can be sustained despite inclement weather. It all starts with getting more in-depth data on the status of our watersheds,” said Maynilad CEO Randolph T. Estrellado.

MetraWeather installed automated weather stations (AWS) in several strategic locations at the Angat, Ipo, La Mesa and Laguna watersheds. The AWS will assist in continuous calibration and validation of existing weather models which would improve the accuracy of weather forecasts.

The weather intelligence provider will also reanalyze historical weather data from 2010, providing a climate outlook that will help the company create immediate, short-term and long-term programs to meet the changing water demands.

Maynilad is the biggest private water concessionaire in the country in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and serves certain portions of Manila ad Quezon City, west of South Super Highway, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon in Metro Manila and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all on Cavite Province. (Melo M. Acuña)