Metro Manila water allocation from Angat reduced to 50 cms

In preparation for the effects of this year's El Niño dry spell, Metro Manila's water allocation from Angat Dam was reduced to 50 cubic meters per second (cms), from the previous 52 cms, starting this Saturday.

“Mababa na po ‘yung elevation ng Angat Dam. So right now po sa ngayon gusto natin unti-unti po natin bawasan yung alokasyon at i-utilize po natin ‘yung mga tubig na nanggangaling sa ating watershed,” said Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Division Manager for Angat and Ipo Dam Operation Management Engineer Patrick Dizon in Bernadette Reyes' “24 Oras Weekend” report.

(The elevation of Angat Dam is now low. So right now, we want to gradually reduce the allocation and utilize the water from our watershed.)

Meanwhile, Maynilad Water Services Inc. said the worst-case scenario is if the water brought by the rains was not enough, then there would be six to 10-hour water interruptions among the 623,000 water service connections.

However, despite the reduction in the water allocation, Maynilad said that the water situation now was better than what it was last April.

"Ito ay dahil mayroon ng mga pag-ulan ngayon at nakadagdag ang aming supply augmentation projects gaya ng deep well reactivation, recovery ng water losses at produksyon ng potable reused water," said Maynilad.

(This is because of the recent rains and our supply augmentation projects, like the deep well reactivations, recovery of water lossed, and the production of potable reused water.)

Manila Water, for its part, said the public could expect a regular water supply in the East Zone. The water utility had prepared several projects to ensure the continuous water supply during El Niño. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News