Angat Dam’s water level must reach 180 meters to normalize MWSS supply —NWRB

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said Monday the water level at Angat Dam needs to reach at least 180 meters before it can release the normal supply volume for regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and its concessionaires.

The minimum operating level is 180 meters, NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. told GMA News Online.

The board has reduced the supply volume to 36 cubic meters per second (cms) from the normal operating level of 46 cms, compelling concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. to implement rotational service interruption.

There is a signification uncontrollable factor that is affecting the reservoir’s water level on which the board’s action is highly dependent, David noted. That is rainfall.

“It depends on the level in Angat Dam for the month of July and the rate and trend in increase based on rainfall projections in the coming months before adjusting the allocation,” David said.

As of Monday, the water level in Angat Dam continues to drop in the absence of enough rainfall.

The water level went down to 161.01 meters on Monday morning from 161.22 meters on Sunday.

The board earlier said it was looking at the possibility of gradually raising the supply volume for the MWSS in August. Its assessment was based on slight improvements of dam’s water level and projections of more monsoon rains. 

However, the situation has shifted to a more negative outlook at this point.

In the current situation of 161.01 meters, the water level at Angat Dam is 19 meters from the minimum requirement of 180 meters.

The board is looking at the minimum operating level of around 180 meters to bring the normal allocation of 46 cms to MWSS, David said. —VDS, GMA News