NWRB to reduce Metro Manila water supply this April

To conserve water supply amid the effects of El Niño, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said it would reduce the allocation of water to Metro Manila starting this April.

According to Mariz Umali's 24 Oras report, the current water pressure of 50 cubic meters per second will be reduced to 48 cubic meters per second from April 16 to 30.

“Mababa po yung rainfall projection natin na galing po sa PAGASA so below normal po ito dun po sa Angat Watershed. Kapag hindi po natin bawasan ito maaari po yung sabi ko at the end of the year hindi tayo makakapag-supply for the following year ng enough water supply kasi hindi natin naabot yung level,” said NWRB Engineer Susan Abaño, Chief Policy and Program Division.

(We have a low rainfall projection from PAGASA  so it will be below normal in the Angat Watershed. If we don't make reductions, what I said may happen at the end of the year: We won't be able to supply enough water for the following year because we haven't reached the necessary level.)

According to NWRB, Since the start of 2024 the water level of Angat Dam has decreased by 17 meters.

The NWRB said if the dam reaches 180 meters or lower, it may lead to a water deficit, which can also affect the allocation of water to Metro Manila households and for irrigation of farmlands.

Abaño said the allocation may decrease further if there is not enough rain in the Angat Watershed.

This will affect areas supplied by Maynilad: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Makati, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, some parts of Quezon City, Manila, and portions of Cavite.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) assured that only water pressure would be reduced and customers would not run out of water.

“Hindi mawawalan ng tubig ang customers. Babawasan lang ang lakas at pressure ng tubig. Stratehiya po natin para I-manage ang tubig sa angat. Ito yung mga oras na 10 ng gabi hanggang alas 4 ng umaga kung kelan mahina ang utilization,” said MWSS Department Manager Patrick Dizon.

(Customers will not run out of water. The force and pressure of the water will only decrease. This is our strategy to manage the water in the lift. These are the hours from 10 in the evening to 4 in the morning when the utilization is weak.)

MWSS said it has added water sources in the form of 3 plants in Laguna Lake, 2 in Muntinlupa City and 1 in Pakil, Laguna.

According to PAGASA, the effects of La Niña in the latter part of the year is expected to increase the water level in reservoirs due to increased rainfall.

Authorities advised the public to take measures in conserving water such as using a water cup when brushing one’s teeth and recycling the water used to wash dishes to water plants or flush the toilet. Other suggestions are to take five minute-long showers and to turn off the water meter in the evening to reduce water leaks.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News