ADDITIONAL WATER ALLOCATION AS RAINY SEASON STARTS, MWSS

Water supply in Metro Manila still experience service interruptions (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

Following the end of El Niño and the start of the rainy season, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is asking for a significant allocation of water from the Angat Dam, this is to avoid water service interruptions in Metro Manila.

The MWSS is requesting an additional water allocation for Metro Manila from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) after it was lowered during the El Niño period. The call of the MWSS, to increase the supply to 52 cubic meters per second (cms) which is equivalent to more than four and a half billion liters of water per day.

Although the water in Angat dam, where the supply for Metro Manila is taken from, is still below the minimum operating level, the situation is better now that the rainy season has arrived. 

"When the rainy season entered our watersheds, it lowered the daily increase of our reservoir from 30 to 40 centimeters, now it is only 10 to 20 centimeters per day," MWSS Department Manager Engineer Patrick Dizon stated.

While Maynilad agreed to the additional water allocation, they said it would help them meet the high demand every sunny day. But in case it is not approved, the concessionaire said that it still has other sources of water. 

MWSS added that it is better to have a backup supply especially since the rains are not regular in the areas where the watersheds are.

"Just in case we need it, we have something to use. If the water in our reservoirs is so strong, we will not get the 52 cubic meters per second."

According to the NWRB, the proposal for additional MWSS allocation is acceptable, but it will be studied more thoroughly before making a decision.

Source: GMA Integrated News

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