MWSS, NWRB: Water interruptions needed to prevent crisis in 2020

Longer water service interruptions in more areas may be required in the coming months to prevent a water shortage over the dry season in 2020, one that could be worse than the one experienced in Metro Manila and nearby areas earlier this year.

According to Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras", government regulators said even strong rains would not be enough to raise the water level of Angat Dam from the current 185 meters to the target water level of 212 meters.

“Itong mga ginagawa natin, kailangan natin itong gawin para maiwasan natin na worse pa sa 2020,” National Water Resources Board executive director Sevillo David Jr. told GMA News.

“Kung magkakaroon pa ho ng karagdagang pagbabawas ay sa tingin natin magkakaroon din po ng karagdagang-- in terms of interruption, baka mapahaba po at saka mas malawak po ‘yung posibleng maapektuhan,” he added.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System administrator Emmanuel Salamat said there was no water crisis but indicated there was a need to prevent one.

“Hindi naman natin masasabing water crisis siya. But we just need to have a long preparation,"  Salamat said.

"‘Yung ating water interruption, na ginagawa ngayon are just part of the mitigating measures to ensure there will be enough water supply come dry season next year,” he added.

Salamat said that the water shortage was caused by Metro Manila’s reliance on Angat Dam as its sole water source.

“We need to have other sources to develop. If we are not going to develop another water source, mahihrapan tayo to provide that growing population or demands without addressing yung water source,” Salamat said.

Salamat said MWSS was fast-tracking the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in Quezon Province. The dam is expected to supply 600 million liters of water per day to Metro Manila once completed in 2023.

However, the construction of the Kaliwa Dam has been opposed by the indigenous community in Quezon as it will negatively impact the environment and their homes.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) slammed concessionaires for their alleged lack of action on the water shortage.

“Hanggang kailan ba tayo ganito? Ang sinasabi ba nila ngayon, ang water interruption ay tatagal hanggang sa susunod na taon? Hanggang sa summer 2020?" Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

"Tingin namin, hindi acceptable yun. Mula nung March hanggang sa kasalukuyan, wala bang nangyaring pagbabago?” he added.

Concessionaire Manila Water has already opened their Cardona Water Treatment Plant, which could supply 100 million liters per day.

In addition, it has been using deep wells that can supply up to 45 million liters of water per day.

Meanwhile, Maynilad Water Services Inc. said they have expanded the capacity of their treatment facilities for water coming from Laguna Lake, which supplies 50 million liters per day.

Both water concessionaires implemented daily rotational water interruptions starting Thursday, October 24, due to scant rains that have affected Angat Dam. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News