NWRB raises MWSS water share as heat index rises

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Thursday raised the water allocation of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) until end-May, given the high demand in locked-down areas hit by a high heat index.

According to NWRB executive director Sevillo David, the MWSS allocation was increased to 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) effective May 14, 2020 to May 31.

"The additional 2 CMS raw water allocation from Angat Dam shall be considered as a special requirement to sustain the steady supply of water in this time of COVID-19 pandemic and due to relatively high heat index this month of May which results in higher demand of consumers in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, and Cavite," he said in a mobile message.

The heat index -- a measure of the temperature that a person feels in contrast to the actual air temperature -- has reached as high as 50°C in areas such as Cavite.

As of Thursday, the water elevation at the Angat Dam — which supplies 96% of Metro Manila's water needs — was recorded at 187.73 meters.

David in April said there is enough water in Angat to supply Metro Manila even with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which was then only set to last until April 30.

The ECQ placed over Metro Manila, along with several "high-risk areas," has since been extended several times to last until May 31.

"NWRB reiterates to our people to continue their practice of responsible use and conservation of water to further secure our needs in the succeeding months and for the Angat Dam to recover to a more comfortable level by the end of the year," said David. — RSJ, GMA News