MWSS: No cause for alarm over Metro Manila water supply

MANILA, Philippines — There is no reason for Metro Manila residents to panic over water shortage even if water supply at La Mesa Dam has yet to return to normal level, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said yesterday.

MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco allayed fears of an impending water shortage despite the onset of the dry season and the reported low water level at La Mesa Dam.

“Despite the extreme hot weather, Angat Dam’s water level remains high at 194.3 meters which is 14 meters higher than its required level of 180 meters. So there is adequate water supply to meet domestic and industrial demand in Metro Manila,” Velasco said.

Angat Dam is one of the main water sources for Metro Manila, the other one being Ipo Dam.

“The decrease in the water level of La Mesa Dam is a normal occurrence during the dry season where rainfall is nil, if not minimal, and water evaporation is high,” he added.

Water level at La Mesa dam hit a five-year low recently  when it reached 72.51 meters, way below the maintaining level of 78 to 79 meters.

Velasco recently met with concessionaires Maynilad Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. to resolve the technical issues over raw water supply allocation amid increasing demand of water by consumers during the summer months.