Water level of 6 Luzon dams continues to drop

MANILA, Philippines — The water level of Angat Dam and five other dams in the country further dropped amid the dry season being experienced in the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Based on the monitoring of PAGASA Hydro-Meteorology Division, as of 6 a.m. on Sunday, the level of Angat Dam reached 201.60 meters, .31 meters lower that its level on Saturday morning of 201.91 meters.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and provides for the irrigation needs of 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

On the other hand, the level of Ipo Dam was at 98.68 meters, 0.05 meters less than its level of 98.73 meters on Saturday; Binga Dam, 570.14 meters, .47 meters less than its previous level of 570.61 meters; San Roque Dam, 241.41 meters, down by .43 meters compared to the Saturday level of 241.84 meters; Pantabangan Dam, 183.20 meters, .31 meters less than its previous level of 183.51 meters; and Caliraya Dam, 286.71 meters, .16 meters lower than its level of 286.87 meters the day previous.

In a separate radio interview, PAGASA hydrologist Oyi Pagulayan said that water evaporation is high because of high temperature.

“Based on our past records in our dam officers, there is a downward trend in the level of all dams because of high evaporation brought by the high temperature. Climatologically speaking, this is the trend of summer months,” Pagulayan said.

Pagulayan added that it is too early to say whether the dams will reach critical level.

“There were fears that the dams reached critical level but hopefully we will not experience this at this time of the year,” Pagulayan added.

She called on the public to continue to conserve water amid the threat of the El Niño phenomenon.

“We keep on reminding the public of the consciousness in the use of water. The level of Angat Dam is higher compared to its rule curve, it does not mean we can afford to waste. We still encourage everyone to be careful in the consumption of water,” she added.

Pagulayan said that Angat Dam is 11.47 meters away from its rule curve elevation of 190.13 meters.

“The rule curve elevation is the level of the dam to be able to fulfill its functions,” Pagulayan explained.

National Water and Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. has urged the public to conserve water to prevent the country’s experience in 2019 where the level of Angat Dam reached as low as 116 meters after the El Niño phenomenon hit the country.

PAGASA warned that El Niño will be experienced starting June or July 2023.

Increased allocation to curb interruptions

A ranking official of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Sunday said that the decision of the NWRB to increase the allocation of Maynilad Water Service Inc. and Manila Water to 50 cubic meters per second from 48 cubic meters per second should shorten if not end the rotational water interruption being experienced in Metro Manila and nearby areas of Cavite and Rizal.

In a radio interview, MWSS Deputy Administrator Jose Dorado Jr. said that while the approved added provision of NWRB was lower than the requested 52 cubic meters per second, it will contribute to lessen the number of hours of water interruption being experienced by Maynilad customers.

“The 50 cubic meters per second approved by NWRB will be managed to increase the elevation in Ipo Dam and La Mesa Dam and improve the operation of Maynilad,” Dorado said.

On Friday, NWRB’s David announced that the NWRB board approved the request of Maynilad and Manila Water to increase their water allocation to 50 cubic meters per second from 48 cubic meters effective April 1 to 15, 2023.

“We requested 52 cubic meters per second but according to Executive Director David, the board needs to first analyze the water level these coming days to determine the behavior of the dams amid the high temperature,” Dorado said.

Dorado added that aside from the increased water allocation granted by NWRB, Manila Water also committed to assist Maynilad.

“We have what we call a cross border. This is treated water already. It will not come from the Novaliches portal or La Mesa portal. As you can observe these past few days, the water supply of Manila Water to their customers is stable. This will allow them to assist Maynilad,” he said.

Dorado also blamed leaks and illegal connections for the dwindling allocation of Maynilad.

“The water supply is affected by the leaks and illegal connection and then there are also losses going to the treatment plants. The biggest problem of Maynilad is its distribution system,” Dorado noted.

He reiterated that water supply from Angat Dam will last until December 2023.

“The level of Angat Dam is normal and it will be enough to supply the water requirement until the end of the year,” he said.

He added that the use of deep wells as an alternative source of water will be the last option as the NWRB can authorize the two water concessionaires to tap their standby sources from the ground.

“We keep on reminding our customers to be patient as we are trying to fix the system to minimize the water interruption. We also urge the public to use water properly, conserve water to maximize the water allocation for Metro Manila,” he added.