Angat water allocation cut for NCR won’t have direct impact on supply — Maynilad, Manila Water

The reduction of water allocation for Metro Manila from Angat Dam will not have a significant impact on the water supply being distributed by concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) further reduced the allocation for the national capital to 44 cubic meters per second (cms) from 46 cms as the water level at Angat Dam dropped to 177.94 meters, below its minimum operating level of 180 meters. 

“Bagamat may napabalita na nagbawas, naging 44 cms na lang ‘yung ibibigay na supply sa atin wala naman itong magiging direktang epekto sa supply sa Metro Manila,” Maynilad spokesperson Zmel Grabillo said in an interview on GMA News’ “Unang Balita” on Friday.

Grabillo explained that local rains usually occur very October, which will fill the Ipo Dam.

“Karaniwan po na kapag sumasapit ang Oktubre ay talaga pong binabawasan ang aloksayon para gagamitin sa Metro Manila. Ang nangyayari kasi meron tayong local rains kapag October at napupuno nito ang Ipo Dam na siya rin pong direktang nagbibigay o nagsu-supply ng tubig papunta dito sa Metro Manila,” he said.

Manila Water Corporate Communications head Jeric Sevilla agreed that the water supply in Metro Manila is stable.

“Generally ang supply maayos naman sa kasalukuyan,” Sevila said.

“Nanatili naman na 24 by 7 ang supply ng konsesiyonaryo liban na lamang kung may emergency repairs na ginagawa o maintenance activites.  Tayo naman ay nagbibigay ng paunang notice para makapaghanda sila,” Sevilla added.

The main sources of Metro Manila’s water supply are the Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa dams, according to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

The water from these dams are then processed by the La Mesa and Balara Treatment Plants, which converts it from a raw state to clean and potable water. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News