No interruptions in Metro Manila water supply, DENR exec says

MANILA, Philippines — There would be no water supply interruptions even if Angat Dam’s water level dips to its minimum operating level of 180 meters by mid-May, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources official said yesterday.

DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said that the dam, which serves most of Metro Manila’s water demand, could hit its minimum operating level in about 17 days.

David said that there will be changes to the water allocation by May 16, with a one cubic meter per second (cms) decrease in the allocation for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

He assured that there will be interventions so that the lower allocation for NIA will not affect farmers in Bulacan.

David said that the 1cms reduction contributes greatly to water conservation measures as it can supply the demand of almost 500,000 Filipinos.

He said Angat Dam’s water level drops by 0.4 meters per day, with the huge demand from Metro Manila and the extreme heat contributing to its faster rate of decrease.

Angat Dam was at 186.49 meters yesterday, way below its normal high water level of 210 meters.

David noted that even as the El Niño phenomenon is about to end, drought conditions may prevail this month until June.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System earlier said Metro Manila and nearby provinces would not experience water interruptions after the National Water Resources Board maintained the 50 cms allocation from Angat Dam.