Integrated watershed management program can solve Metro water woes

Consumers were enraged last week when continuous rains were cited by water utilities as their main reason for their unreliable water supply, prompting Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) to call for a sustainable integrated watershed management program.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco in a statement called for a sustainable integrated watershed management program in the wake of the increase in the turbidity level at Ipo dam of raw water being supplied to its service areas.

The increase in the turbidity level triggered intermittent water supply experienced in Metro Manila and several barangays in Bulacan.

Turbidity refers to increased sediment concentrations in the raw water.

“Recognizing the importance of watersheds in supporting the water supply of Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, MWSS needs to come up with an integrated approach towards sustainable management and protection of the watersheds,” Velasco said.

Moving forward, Velasco said the agency is planning to launch a Corporate Forestry Watershed Legacy Program, which should encourage the adoption by various corporations and other entities of thousands of hectares of denuded portions of Ipo Dam.

"[The adoption is] geared towards integrated watershed management plan to reforest, maintain favorable environmental conditions and to improve the quality and amount of potable water supply to our constituents,” Velasco said.

As a start, Velasco said the three MWSS concessionaires — Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Manila Water Company, Inc., and Bulacan Bulk Water — can initially adopt 50,000 hectares each at Ipo as part of the Corporate Forestry Watershed Legacy Program.