Drinking water supply at risk as Angat Dam level falls

MANILA, Philippines - Angat dam water elevation fell below critical level on Monday, threatening livelihood in neighboring provinces and the supply of drinking water in Metro Manila.

Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant general manager Rodolfo Guzman said in a dzMM interview that the water level breached the critical measure of 180 meters, dropping to 179.80 meters at 6 a.m. on Monday.

The dam supplies 95 percent of Metro Manila's domestic water needs.

German explained that at least 160 meters are allotted for drinking but the amount may not last until the rainy season. The water levels are expected to drop further as temperatures rise and rain is infrequent.

German assured the public, however, that there is enough water for drinking for now.

"Para sa tubig inumin, medyo mataas pa naman. Kapag damating sa level na 160 eh doon na 'yung magiging critical," the engineer added.

German also said that at least 180 meters of water are needed for irrigation--the release of which may be stopped anytime soon as Angat Dam authorities await National Water Resources Board (NWRB)'s order. The dam waters 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

"Tuloy pa rin ang ating pag-release [of water], hintayin na lang natin 'yung kanilang [NWRB's] abiso," German said.

"Kasi may mga standing crop pa na natitira sa mga palayan sa Bulacan. Sayang naman kung ititigil natin kaagad," he added.

Plans for cloud seeding operations to induce rain over the dam have been drawn out last week.

German said that the lack of suitable cloud formation challenged the weather modification efforts of the government.

"Mas maganda nga sana kung ang ulan ay nasa tapat ng watershed [dahil] masasawata 'yung mas mabilis na pagbaba ng elevation," German said.

Also read: Angat dam hits critical level