MWSS wants increased water allocation from Angat retained for the rest of June

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is seeking to retain its increased allocation of 52 cubic meters per second (cms) from the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system for the rest of June to avoid water interruptions in Metro Manila and its nearby areas.

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, MWSS Angat/Ipo Operations Management Division head Patrick James Dizon said the agency had submitted a formal request to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) “two weeks ago.”

“That [letter] is proposing to maintain our 52 cubic meters per second allocation natin from Angat Dam… because this is the allocation needed for the entire Metro Manila and adjacent province to maintain a no water interruption in areas being supplied by Angat,” Dizon said in a mix of English and Filipino.

In April, the NWRB raised the allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to 52 cms from the earlier approved increase of 50 cms.

The same allocation was also conditionally approved for the month of May.

Dizon said that during the months of March, April, May, and June, the water level in Angat Dam is “historically” lower.

“By the onset of July, August, and September, the water elevations go up because that is when the rain comes in watershed areas,” he said.

The MWSS official said the agency and the NWRB will have a special board meeting on Wednesday, May 31, to discuss the retention of the 52 cms allocation.

The MWSS is the government’s water distribution utility serving Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It has concession deals with Manila Water and Maynilad to serve the east and west zones of Metro Manila.—AOL, GMA Integrated News