Water supply drop eyed as Angat level dips further

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam is expected to drop to its minimum of 180 meters by the end of May, according to an official of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

MWSS water and sewerage management department manager Patrick Dizon said the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) would proceed with its plan to decrease the water allocation for Metro Manila starting May 1 if the water level in the reservoir dips further. 

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Angat Dam was down by .40 meters compared to its previous level of 192.92 meters.

Richard Orendain, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services hydrologist, had earlier said the dam’s water level is seen to decrease to 189 meters at the end of this month and to 182.73 meters in May.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs. It also provides irrigation to 25,000 hectares of rice fields in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

The drop in the dam’s water level was estimated at .33 meters per day or by 6.28 meters since April 1.

The NWRB said the 50 cubic meters per second (cms) allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water would continue until April 30.

Undersecretary Carlos David of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the DENR and NWRB would reassess the water level in Angat Dam on April 30.

David said the NWRB would cut water allocation by one to two cms depending on the dam’s water level.