Almiya Water System Supplier information

UPDATE May 5, 2024 Update on Water Well Installation in Almiya

As of this writing, the two suppliers we have worked with have not been able to secure a water well for our Almiya subdivision. Both Helpmate and Goodhands were unable to commit to providing a water well due to government regulations and approval processes.

We are now left with MCWD as the only supplier who has confirmed they can establish a water well in Almiya. This solution is essential to address the low water pressure issue, as Almiya is at the end of the MCWD water pipeline. We’re pleased to update you on our progress with the new water well project. In a recent meeting with the MCWD, two potential sites within Almiya were identified for the well. The project, pending approval from the MCWD Board, is expected to take 6-8 months to complete.

Following up on today's 2nd meeting with MCWD, we're currently in the process of creating and reviewing the Deed of Gratuitous Usufruct with our legal team. We will keep you informed as we move forward. We will have a referendum on this in our upcoming July 14, 2024 General Members Meeting, to have 2/3 votes of vecinos.

Update on Water Loss or Non-Revenue Water of Almiya

Almiya Homeowners Update: Water Leak Service Activities:

Findings:

1.Two major leaks were found on Reef and Pond Streets (Leaks 6 and 7).

2.Water meters at 15 houses keep running between 12:00 am and 2:00 am, possibly due to minimum night consumption or leaks after the meters. These houses contribute significantly to the initial minimum night flow rate, accounting for 55% of the readings.

3. As of 2:00 AM on May 11, 2024, the minimum flow rate is now 3.3 cu.m/hr and is expected to decrease further after repairing Leak 7. Almiya HOA had been pleased with Leak Expert Water Services that we will continue to have them as our water maintenance moving forward to maintain our water system and proactive restoration. Report links https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L_7IF_S82Aw2Iu3Tnfcz4SEzjfJXNtgz/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1WpwFA1GJmBpDS2NeWcERZkV1wU3XEO/view?usp=sharing

UPDATE April 30, 2023 WATER LEAK DETECTION Objective: To reduce the non-revenue water or system water loss for future water billings.

Watermains will share the technical report by May 2, 2023. This is the progress report of the hydro testing since day 1. We are paying a huge amount of this testing, we made sure our vecinos are updated .
There were challenges during the Hydro testing as most of the 4" gate valves needed replacement before Watermains can proceed the succeeding Hydro testing. Most of the valves are lossen and others will not turn, Watermains cannot proceed the test as they cannot determine because the result is automatically zero. As per diagnoses, the 14units of 4"Gate valves needed replacement as it is already unrepairable (wear and tear). Unfortunately, no available units in Cebu. Our admin contacted the Manila supplier. We need Gate valves that is recommended and within specs by MCWD.

3. While waiting for the Gate valve repair, Watermains will proceed with the water leak detection using an "audio sensor device" ( we will get the correct term from Watermains) in Ridge and Creek st.

4. Thank you to all vecinos who replaced their Water Meter. Goodhands Water Specialist needed also the data of the date of water meter installation. 📝Water Calibration Result per household (updated)

WATER SYSTEM SUPPLIER NEGOTIATION UPDATES

Objectives:

To address the low water pressure of Almiya and rehabilitation of the water system.
Almiya requirements for future water supplier is to have water well system, this will not only address the water pressure issue but allow to lower our water cost.

We have 2 water suppliers that are on negotiation now. Please see below for the latest activities.

SUPPLIER #1 HELPMATE

Helpmate already identified a property near Almiya, and already sent the proposed MOA to the lot owner. As per Helpmate, they will update Almiya next week for the MOA( first week of May) - this is one of the reasons why Helpmate took a while to get back to Almiya.Please refer to the March 18, 2023 other reasons from Helpmate delays.
More information about Helpmate, please see notes and information below.

SUPPLIER #2 GOODHANDS WATER SPECIALISTS

2nd Zoom Meeting with Goodhands, Aboitiz and Almiya HOA on May 2, 2023, 4pm. If any vecinos interested to join, please inform the office, so we can add you to the calendar invite.
GoodHands also brought up the Wastewater Treatment Facility as this is required by DENR. Another level of discussion and who will shoulder the cost.
More information about Goodhands More information about Goodhands Water Specialist

- end -

UPDATE March 18, 2023

Water leaks report/ infographics
SUPPLIER #1 HELPMATE Votation is put on hold while we are gathering information about our water suppliers. The information of MOA will give more information to our vecinos about the supplier.
MOA of Helpmate The following issues are needed to be addressed on by Helpmate:
1. Temporary rates should be disclosed to Almiya (MCWD as water source),
2. To find another source of water due to advice from NWRB that drilling & water permit application inside Almiya and nearby area is no longer acceptable,
3. To apply excavation permit from our nearest source (4KM away from Almiya)
Supplier #2: Goodhand WAter Specialists ( sister company of www.bpwaterworks.com) More information about Goodhands Water Specialist
AboitizLand can no longer subsidize the water system losses as based on the calibration report, as per Aboitizland, "it is clear that losses were mainly due to the defective meters" - 58% a commercial loss. BOD is negotiating with AboitizLand to extend subsidy until we close out the third party supplier.

Results from the Water calibration: 📝Water Calibration Result per household (updated)

📝Summary Watermains Calibration Result Passed - 106 units

Failed - 179 units

Defective - 1 unit

Not yet Test - 20 units- not yet done due to some reasons

( defective valve, Gated units and no owners )

Results of Almiya ARAD water replacement activity

Total of failed units including the defected - 200 units Total vecinos who availed the ARAD water meter - 80 units Total vecinos did not replace the water meter - 120 units

We will reopen the votation after the information from anther supplier are shared with us.

SUPPLIER #2: GoodHands Water Specialist (sister company of BPwaterworks)

Water Specialists, Inc ..( was established in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BP Waterworks, Inc ( with the primary objective of providing clean water to customers

outside BPWI’s clientele Initially established to cater to low cost and socialized

housing projects, GWSI’s portfolio now has an expanded customer base of housing projects within a wider socio economic bracket. Primary water source is water well.

Royalty

Goodhands willl pay a percentage of the monthly gross collections to the HOA as commission or royalty fee of using the existing water system facilities. More information: More information about Goodhands Water Specialist

SUPPLIER #1: Helpmate

About Helpmate Proposal

Clink here to VOTE (1 vote per unit owned)

MOA of Helpmate

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

HELPMATE, INC. has over 20 years of extensive experience in the construction and operations of water systems. We are providing potable water to approximately 40,000 subscribers in 13 cities and municipalities across Cebu, Davao, & Bacolod City. We aim to be the leader in providing excellent water and related services to different communities in Visayas and Mindanao areas.

APPROACH & METHODOLOGY

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

SCHEDULE AND BENCHMARKS

COST, PAYMENT & LEGAL

BENEFITS

Comparison HOA SET-UP VS HELPMATE TAKE-OVER

Sample cost based on water consumption 21 /cu.m

Water Charge Php 331,347.97 ( source: MCWD Bill as of October 2022) Total Water loss- Php 205,428.09 (source: Almiya HOA)

HOA water loss share divided to all vecinos- Php 19,448.37

Aboitiz water loss share ( Aboitiz advised that they will only pay until Dec 2022)- Php 186,049.72

Vecino Water Bill with Systems Loss (Consumption Assumption 21/cu.m )

(source: Helpmate)

SUMMARY for Helpmate Comparison vs MCWD/HOA

Using the Oct 2022 Data with Consumption Assumption 21/cu.m, the Helpmate is still coming out cheaper, with the additional services and value add

✅ Absorbed the water loss

HOA will not be paying the huge amount to MCWD, thus not hurting our Financial. Aboitiz will not be absorbing the water loss for a long term.

✅ Low water pressure

Helpmate has 3 water sources and counting. A solution to create redundancy of water sources - main water line, river, deep well. (Critical during calamities and scarcity of water). We will be asking Helpmate to place in the MOA to have Almiya a deep well.

✅ Water sourcing, treatment, & distribution.

Improve the quality of Almiya water with new technologies, PH national standard for potable water, regular monthly testing for bacteria and coliforms, regulated by NWRB & DOH

✅ In-house support personnel

Round-the-clock monitoring of residual chlorine levels.

The HOA can reassign the 2 personnel specific to water billing and water maintenance.

Clink here to VOTE (1 vote per unit owned)

Additional Comparison HOA SET-UP VS HELPMATE TAKE-OVER

(source: Helpmate)

Helpmate Customer Feedback (other subdivision)

( TBA / Currently checking with Helpmate customers)

Frequent Asked Questions

Will the Php3,500 include the water well construction?

Helpmate’s standard transfer fee (P3,500) is similar to a standard connection fee (P7,616) charged by utilities, but since facilities including water meters and fittings are already installed, thus it’s a discounted cost. Transfer fee covers all costs such as but not limited to admin cost, meter accuracy test and corroded fittings replacement, system rehabilitation works & repairs and facilities improvements that are necessary.

With regards to the construction of a deep well source inside the subdivision, all costs shall be for the account of Helpmate. HOA shall provide the necessary lot space sufficient for the well construction and operations (20-100 sq.m). As lease for the lot, Helpmate shall pay the amount P0.50 for every cubic meter extracted from the well and sold to consumers inside and outside the subdivision.

If water well construction is included in the amount as stated, is there any chance that allows connections from outside Almiya subdivision in a near future?

Does the amount covered for the repair of pavements and other facilities/utilities on affected areas within subdv?

Will the new calibrated water meter helped?

Water well - will this be the subdivision's main / primary source?

Our vecinos needs a guarantee that Helpmate will commit and install the DEEP WELL and can address the water losses we are experiencing. And the assurance that service is better than what we have now.

We are seeing reviews and complaint comments from your page, which caught the attention of our vecinos, if we can give assurance to our vecinos about this?

FB page > https://www.facebook.com/helpmateincorporatedofficial

Reviews > https://www.facebook.com/helpmateincorporatedofficial/reviews

Present comparative data from current and with helpmate; - What are the advantages if we go for helpmate; rates including services:

Sept2022 - to present ALMIYA activities to address the water loss

Sometimes referred to as Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is the difference between the total amount of MCWD bill and the total amount of Almiya HOA water bill collection.
The MCWD bill readings do not equal the readings from the Almiya distribution system (more than 25% of the industry accepted water loss).
The acceptable industry standard of water loss is 20-25%.

Water System: Reasons of Water loss