NWRB may raise water supply to MWSS in Aug.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is looking at the possibility of gradually raising the volume of water for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) starting next month.

The board allots water to the MWSS from Angat Dam. In turn, MWSS redistributes the water to concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc.

With the expected rainfall from tropical cylones, the water level at Angat Dam is likely to improve, the board said Wednesday.

“Sa third o fourth week ng July, sinasabi ng PAGASA na diyan darating ang mga bagyo... We will see the development in the second week or third week of July para tignan kung kakailanganin magkaroon ng adjustment sa August,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

“If in the last week of July, kung magkakaroon ng significant development, magkakaroon ng adjustment sa August,” David said.

As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the water level at Angat Dam measured 161.08 meters, or just a meter over the critical level of 160 meters.

Angat Dam supplies 96 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirement.

Following a technical working group meeting, David said the NWRB decided to maintain an allocation of 36 cubic meters per second to MWSS since PAGASA has projected less rainfall in the coming days.

The regular water allocation for MWSS is 46 cms.

“We decided to maintain the allocation of 36 cubic meters per second para po to improve the level of Angat Dam in anticipation na walang masyadong pag-ulan na darating itong susunod na linggo,” David said.

The water level at Angat Dam is not expected to drop further at this point despite the less rainfall expected this week and the next.

“Dahil nakatulong ang mga pag-ulan nitong mga nakaraang mga araw and base sa projection natin ... itong week na darating wala tayong nakikitang pagbaba, walang pagbaba ng level na nakikita,” David said. —VDS, GMA News