Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 10) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said some government offices are paying millions of pesos for their monthly water bills due to undiscovered leaks in their pipelines.
“We did a study together with Manila Water and Maynilad and I don’t think it’s the excessive consumption of individuals but that they did not know they had massive leaks in their water pipes,” DENR Undersecretary Carlos David told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Recently, the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) of the DENR issued Bulletin No. 1 to provide guidelines to government building administrators to conduct proper water management to prepare for the expected impact of El Niño this year.
Bulletin No. 2 was issued next to cover barangay officials as well as condominium and subdivision managers. They were told to advise residents to conserve water by lessening activities that consume a lot of water, as well as to promote recycling and rainwater collection.
David said some government facilities have to pay ₱10 million to ₱ 17 million per month for their water bills, while other smaller offices pay ₱1 million.
He noted that these offices are usually in a compound with only one meter, so building managers do not know which facility consumes the most.
