Angat Dam water level continues to fall
The water level in Angat Dam continued to drop despite rains in recent days, according to Dano Tingcungco’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday.
Based on weather bureau PAGASA’s latest data, the water level in Angat Dam is currently at 195.36 meters as of February 22. This is far from the normal level of 212 meters.
PAGASA said there has been reported rains in the watershed of Angat Dam in the past five days. However, it was not enough to raise the water level in the dam.
“Although mayroon po tayong ... weather systems like we have the Northeast Monsoon, we have the shear line pero ang talaga pong makakapagbigay ng significant na pagulan within the watershed ay ang bagyo,” Rosalie Pagulayan, weather specialist of PAGASA, said.
(Although we have presence of weather systems like the Northeast Monsoon and shear line, what can really provide significant rainfall within the watershed is a typhoon.)
In the coming months of April and May, there is only one typhoon expected to enter the country.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has earlier said that the water level in Angat Dam may possibly hit the minimum operating level of 180 meters in April.
Meanwhile, Maynilad said the demand for water from their customers usually increases up to 20 million liters a day during the summer season, noting the difference in water consumption before COVID-19 pandemic.
“More supply is needed now in areas where there were less demand before so kailangan siya ng management (the management needs it),” Jen Rufo, head corporate communications of Maynilad, said.
According to Maynilad, it planned to install four modular treatment plants that can generate an additional 33.6 million liters of water supply a day.
Maynilad said the NWRB also approved its request to create an additional 11 deep wells.
If there will be a shortage of water supply, the water pressure will be lowered or there will be a possible water interruption.
“Babawasan lang natin nang kaunti yung network pressure, not to affect the service of our customers, but just to manage it enough para hindi ang mabawasan yung sayang, you know matipid natin yung supply for as long as we can until such time na ma-replenish yung ating main na pinagkukuhanan ng tubig,” Rufo said.
(We will only reduce the network pressure a little, not to affect the service of our customers, but just to manage it enough so as not to reduce the supply. We will save the supply for as long as we can, until such time we can replenish our main source of water.)—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News