Angat Dam water nearing lowest recorded level

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — The water elevation of Angat Dam continued to go down yesterday, inching closer to its lowest recorded water level in 2010.

Records from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office showed that Angat’s water elevation, as of 11 a.m. yesterday, was at 158.17 meters.

The elevation is only 0.61 meter above 157.56 meters – the lowest water level recorded on July 18, 2010.

In 2010 and 2019, rotational water service interruptions were implemented among Metro Manila residents after the dam’s water level fell below its critical level of 160 meters.

Environment groups Green Party of the Philippines and Sagip Sierra Madre Ecclesial Community Association urged the national and local government units to “immediately put a stop to all environmentally destructive projects.”

David D’Angelo, Green Party of the Philippines national chairman, said governments should stop unsustainable tree cutting, destructive mining and environmentally destructive renewable energy projects, among others.

D’Angelo said watersheds should be protected and restored through aggressive reforestation using native species. He called for the strict conservation of forests, wetlands, mangroves and river systems.

Angat Dam is the primary source of raw water for Metro Manila.