Angat may reach lowest level yet

MANILA, Philippines - The continued lack of rainfall may cause the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan to dip to its lowest recorded elevation, official said yesterday.

However, they said the water supply for Metro Manila, which draws 97 percent of its potable water requirements from the dam, will remain sufficient for the next 45 days even without rains.

Manila Water Co. Inc., one of two firms supplying water to Metro Manila households, said it is prepared to recycle water from esteros and the Pasig River in order to address any shortage in the supply of potable water.

Engineer Russel Rigor of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) said the water elevation at the Angat Dam yesterday dropped to 158.64 meters above sea level, just .49 meter higher than the 158.15 masl recorded in September 1998 or a year after the country suffered another El Niño onslaught.

Engineer Rodolfo German, general manager of the Angat River Hydro-electric Power Plant (Arhepp), said even if there would be no rainfall for the next 45 days, “there would still be sufficient water for Metro Manila.” He added that it is possible they will reduce water allocation.

The low water level has prompted Arhepp officials to shut down its power plant. German said they will only restart their auxiliary turbines when the water level climbs to 160 masl, while the main power turbines will be restarted when water elevation is back at 180 masl.

Metro households could get recycled water

Manila Water spokesman Jeric Sevilla said they have on standby at least four portable water treatment plants capable of recycling 4,000 liters per hour.

The portable water plants were used after tropical storm “Ondoy” destroyed water pipelines, particularly in Marikina City.

“In a worst case scenario we are ready to draw water from esteros, Pasig River or any waterway to address the problem,” Sevilla said.

He said the water level in Angat Dam continues to decline at an average of 24 centimeters a day and if heavy rains do not come next month, elevated areas like Antipolo, Rizal will be affected.

Sevilla said if the Angat Dam situation does not improve, they will begin what they call water management distribution, wherein in some areas water will only be available for 13 hours.

“We do not call it water rationing, it’s water distribution management,” he said.

Sevilla said Manila Water is also eyeing tapping deep wells and setting up reservoirs for areas that will be hard-hit by the water crisis.

He said wastewater from sewage tanks or “poso negro” can also be recycled, but they have to acquire new facilities capable of treating and recycling the wastewater.

Sevilla said Manila Water has set up plants to treat water for non-drinking use at the UP-Ayala technology center in Quezon City and in other parts of the metropolis.   – With Perseus Echeminada