MWSS: Water supply still sufficient despite El Niño affecting Angat Dam

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said Sunday the water supply is still sufficient for the needs of consumers despite the decreasing water level at Angat Dam due to El Niño.

"Sa ngayon, naibibigay pa naman ng ating Angat Dam 'yung pangangailangan natin para hindi magkaroon ng tinatawag nating pila-balde sa kalye na naranasan natin noong 2019," MWSS spokesperson and  water and sewerage management department manager Engr. Patrick James Dizon said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(For now, Angat Dam can still meet our needs so consumers will not have to result to 'pila-balde' which we experienced in 2019.)

"Sa ngayon ay sufficient pa naman ‘yung ating tubig na nanggagaling sa Angat (Dam)," he added.

(The water supply from Angat is still sufficient.)

Dizon said Angat Dam in Bulacan supplies 90% of the water needs of Metro Manila, Rizal, and portions of Cavite and Bulacan.

"Sa ngayon po, 90% ng pinagkukuhanan natin ng tubig dito sa Metro Manila, Rizal, portions ng Cavite at saka Bulacan ay nanggagaling sa Angat Dam," Dizon said.

(For now, 90% of the water of Metro Manila, Rizal, portions of Cavite and Bulacan comes from Angat Dam.)

The MWSS is monitoring daily the water level at Angat Dam, he added.

PAGASA data showed that as of 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, the water level at the Angat Dam reservoir was at 188.81 meters. This was lower than the 189.17 meters recorded at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Dizon said Angat Dam's minimum operating level is at 180 meters while the critical level is 160 meters.

"Sa ating nagiging projection ay hindi naman aabot dito sa critical level na 160 meters," he said.

(Based on our projection, it will not reach the critical level of 160 meters.)

The MWSS official added that the decrease in water supply at Angat Dam is to be expected since there is lesser rainfall recorded.

"Sa ganitong buwan ay talagang pababa ang ating reservoir (Angat Dam) kasi walang pag-uulan sa ating mga watershed," he said.

(During these months, the water level at the reservoir really goes down because there is no rainfall in our watershed.)

"Same din 'yan sa mga nakaraang taon, El Niño man 'yan, La Niña man 'yan, o 'yung mga normal situation ay talagang pababa 'yung reservoir natin sa ganitong buwan. Pero pagdating naman ng June, July hanggang August ay paakyat na rin 'yan kasi mararanasan natin 'yung pag-ulan sa ating mga watershed. That's the time na magre-refill," Dizon said.

(It was the same in previous years, whether there is El Niño, La Niña, or the situation is normal. The water level at the reservoir really goes down during these months. But in June, July, up to August, the water level will rise due to rainfall in our watershed. That's the time the reservoir is refilled.)

The MWSS with the help of its concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, implemented augmentation measures in anticipation of El Niño.

These include having an additional water plant in Rizal and rehabilitating more than 100 deep wells, which can be used should the need arises, Dizon said. —KG, GMA Integrated News