Angat Dam water still below minimum operating level despite rains —NWRB

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Tuesday said water level in Angat Dam, which supplies 95% of Metro Manila’s water needs, is still below its minimum operating level.

During the daily televised public briefing, NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said the current water level in Angat is lower compared to the previous years.

“Sa kasalukuyan po, ang lebel ng Angat Dam ay 177.93 meters [Currently, the water level in Angat Dam is at 177.93],” David said.

“Ito po ay masasabi natin [na] kung kumpara natin sa mga nakaraang taon ay mababa pa rin po sa kasalukuyang lebel kasi ang gusto ho sana natin ay huwag bababa ng 180 na minimum operating level,” he added.

(Compared to the record from the previous years, the current water level in Angat Dam is still low because we want it not to be lower than its minimum operating level of 180 meters.)

David said the recent rains did not reach the watershed. He said the recent tropical cyclones only brought rains to northern Luzon areas.

So far, David said Angat Dam, which is located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, still has enough water to supply the needs of consumers.

According to him, the target water level for Angat Dam to ensure enough water supply for 2023 is 212 meters.

He said the NWRB will monitor the water level in Angat Dam in the next few months to determine if adjustments in water allocation in Metro Manila are needed.   —KBK, GMA News