NWRB: Angat Dam water level slightly rose, but still below critical level

The water level at Angat Dam slightly rose as of Monday, but it is still below the 160-meter critical level, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said.

The NWRB said the slight rise in water level was due to the rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

“Pero nito pong nakaraang araw, pagdating ng Habagat po ay bahagya pong umakyat no? Pero sabi nga ho natin nasa 156 meters po ngayong umaga. So umakyat siya nang kakaunti mula po kahapon,” said NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

(But these past few days, with the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon, it rose slightly, right? But as we said, it is around 156 meters this morning. So it rose a little bit from yesterday.)

The Angat Dam supplies more than 90% of Metro Manila’s water needs, serving at least 14 million people.

As of 8 a.m., July 3, the water level at Angat Dam is 156.09 meters.

The normal high water level of Angat Dam is 210 meters above sea level, while its minimum operating level is 180 meters.

EXPLAINER: What happens when Angat Dam hits 'critical' level?

The NWRB said that the current water level at Angat Dam is the lowest recorded since 2010.

“Pero ganun pa man, ay hindi pa natin masasabi na komportable na ang lebel ng Angat Dam, sa kasalukuyang lebel, ito pa rin po yung sinasabi nating lowest na level po na naranasan ng Angat Dam mula po nung mga 2010,” said Sevilla.

(But even so, we still cannot say that the level of Angat Dam is comfortable. At its current level, this is still what we consider the lowest level experienced by Angat Dam since around 2010.)

At the height of a strong El Niño–Southern Oscillation on July 18, 2010, Angat Dam hit its lowest recorded level at 157.56 meters above sea level.

The NWRB said that it’s currently working with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in finding alternative sources of water.

“Kagaya po nitong mga water treatment facilities dito po sa Laguna Lake at dito sa may area ng Cavite. At sa ngayon po, kasalukuyan ay ginagamit din po 'yung La Mesa Dam at Ipo Dam hangga't hindi pa masyadong umuulan sa Angat Dam,” said Sevilla.

(Just like these water treatment facilities here in Laguna Lake and in the Cavite area. And right now, La Mesa Dam and Ipo Dam are also being utilized while it hasn't rained much yet over Angat Dam.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA News