‘Lando’ rainfall boosts Metro water supply

Angat dam water level increases

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Thursday approved the allocation of additional two cubic meters per second (cms) of domestic water for Metro Manila starting next month, due to the significant increase in Angat Dam’s water level due to rainfall spawned by typhoon ‘Lando’.

NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said the water level at Angat Dam rapidly rose in just a span of 28 hours to almost seven meters, reaching 200.85 meters on October 18 from 194.33 meters the previous day.

As of Thursday morning, the water level further elevated to 203.72 meters, or about 6.28 meters short of its normal high water level of 210 meters.

Due to the increased water level in Angat Dam, the Board decided to allocate additional two cms for domestic use, bringing back to 38 cms the water allocation in Metro Manila.

“The approved allocation assures to provide sufficient water for Metro Manila consumers, and sectors involved in the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November, as well,” David explained.

Likewise, a standby allocation of 10 cms for irrigation of Bulacan and Pampanga farmlands is retained for next month.

David said returning the 38 cms allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) may improve the water supply in Metro Manila, even though it is still below the normal 42-43 cms during a non-El Niño year.

MWSS Senior Deputy Administrator Nathaniel Santos said they are expecting that the additional allocation will help ease the water management by Maynilad and Manila Water.

He noted that the reduction of water pressure and scheduled supply may possibly continue but for shorter hours.

David assured that the current level of Angat Dam can still sustain the needs of Metro Manila water consumers until next year.

David, however, reminded the public not to be complacent and still prepare for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon until the first half of 2016.