Water in Angat Dam limited, but we are prepared —NWRB exec

Water level in Angat Dam, which supplies nearly 95% of the water need of Metro Manila and nearby provinces,  is limited. But the National Water Resources Board and other concerned government agencies are ready with mitigating measures especially for the dry season.

At the Laging Handa briefing, NWRB executive director Dr. Sevillo David, Jr. said that as of Saturday morning, January 29, 2022, water level at the dam was at 197.85 meters, which is 10 meters lower compared to the same date last year.

Angat Dam has a normal high water level of 210 meters, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

"Sa ganitong sitwasyon, kailangan nating paghandaan at i-manage ng maayos itong limitadong suplay ng tubig sa Angat Dam para naman po sa panahon ng tag-init" (We need to be ready with measures to manage the use of water from the dam for the dry season), David said.

Likewise, he said the NWRB, together with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), is already ready with mitigating measures to effectively manage the limited water supply, especially in the time of pandemic.

Moreover, he said the MWSS is ready with water allocation measures, and the NIA, for its part, has water management projects for irrigation, particularly in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Pressed on the possibility of water shortage, David said concerned agencies are making efforts to ensure that present water supply allocation will be sustained and made reliable until the dry season.

"Gusto nating masiguro na sustained at maintained po ang kasalukuyang allocation hanggang sa summer po, para mas reliable ang supply ng tubig."

He pointed out that the NWRB, MWSS, and the NIA have already set up mitigating measures, including deep wells that are ready for use, water treatment facilities, and tube wells for irrigation.

He added that water treatment facilities are being set up for Laguna Lake and the Marikina River.

"Ready na po anytime ang paggamit ng ng mga deep well. Ang MWSS at water concessionaires ay meron pong mga na-establish na water-treatment facilities sa Laguna Lake at dito po sa Marikina River na makatutulong pangdagdag sa suplay ng tubig.  At ready na rin ang tube wells for irrigation," he said

[Deep wells, water treatment facilities, and tube wells are ready for use anytime].

David also encouraged consumers to do their part in conserving water especially that the dry season is coming and we are still very much into the COVID-19 pandemic. —LBG, GMA News