Philippine water utility Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is upgrading its Putatan Water Treatment Plant 1 (PWTP 1) in Muntinlupa City through the introduction of ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) membrane technology, aiming to enhance the plant’s ability to process raw water from Laguna Lake under increasingly challenging conditions.
The project will be carried out in phases and involves replacing sections of the facility’s existing ultrafiltration system with ceramic UF membranes. The technology is intended to help maintain treatment performance despite fluctuations in source water quality, which can be influenced by weather events and other climate-related factors.
The experience gained from operating the Laguna Lake Modular Treatment Plant supported Maynilad’s decision to extend the use of ceramic UF membranes
Maynilad first implemented ceramic UF technology at its 20-million-liter-per-day Laguna Lake Modular Treatment Plant, commissioned in 2024. That facility became the first water treatment plant in the Philippines to use ceramic ultrafiltration membranes and has since demonstrated the technology’s suitability for treating water drawn from Laguna Lake.
According to the company, the experience gained from operating the modular plant supported the decision to extend the use of ceramic UF membranes to PWTP 1. The technology offers greater durability and a longer operational lifespan than conventional alternatives, while also helping reduce maintenance requirements and improve treatment reliability.
“Maynilad continues to invest in technologies that will help us meet evolving water supply and treatment challenges. With ceramic UF, we are building on a technology that we have already tested under Laguna Lake conditions, and are now scaling it up to further improve the reliability, resilience, and sustainability of our water treatment operations,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.
The first stage of the upgrade is expected to enter progressive commissioning by the end of 2026. Once completed, it is anticipated to improve treatment stability, particularly during periods when Laguna Lake experiences elevated turbidity.
The initiative forms part of Maynilad’s broader strategy to strengthen water supply resilience, diversify raw water sources and enhance the reliability of treatment facilities serving customers across the utility’s West Zone concession area.
