NWRB raises MWSS water allocation anew

The National Water Resources Board has raised  again the allocation of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system for the rest of April.

In a statement, the NWRB said it approved the 52 cubic meters per second (CMS) allocation to the MWSS for April 16 to 30, 2023.

“The NWRB recognized the efforts of the MWSS to immediately implement its conservation action plan and water supply augmentation measures to address the current water service interruptions, thus, it allowed the additional 4 CMS to the originally-approved allocation of 48 CMS in April,” it said.

Late in March, the NWRB decided to raise to 50 cubic meters per second (CMS) the share of MWSS from the current 48 CMS from April 1 to 15, 2023. 

The latest supplementary allocation is to “support the stopgap efforts of the MWSS in addressing the water curtailment in the west zone area of Metro Manila affecting millions of water consumers.”

“MWSS is currently intensifying its pipeline leak repairs, and maximizing the utilization of its water treatment plants and deep wells,” the NWRB said.

Also, the agency noted that for the month of May, the requested 52 CMS is also “conditionally approved,” pending the MWSS’ execution of its commitments and compliance with certain conditions related to water augmentation and conservation by April 2023.

Based on the most recent PAGASA forecast, near normal rainfall will be received in the Angat area from May to September 2023, it said.

This is expected to replenish the water in the Angat dam which will alleviate the possible brunt of the impending El Niño phenomenon in the latter part of the year, it added.

“NWRB, along with its partners MWSS, NIA, PAGASA and NPC, will continue to monitor, evaluate and manage the water supply for Metro Manila and its adjoining provinces,” the water agency said.

“The technical working group is also preparing contingency plans to minimize the effects of El Niño,” the agency added.

The NWRB also appealed to water consumers in contributing to water supply sustainability by applying practical water conservation measures in their homes, offices, businesses and communities. —LBG, GMA Integrated News