Angat Dam water level dips, NWRB sees more water allocation reduction

BACK WITH THEIR BUCKETS It’s off to the water-rationing tanks again for these residents of Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, on Friday, after Maynilad Water Services said that 75 percent of its concession area was now affected by Angat Dam’s depleted water volume. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) may further reduce the water allocation for Metro Manila should there be no rain to address the decline in Angat Dam’s water level.

“Kung wala po talagang ulan na pumapasok, titignan po natin yung alokasyon natin kung kailangan magkaroon ng bagong adjustment para po mapangalagaan natin ‘yung suplay hanggang umabot po itong pag-ulan,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David said Tuesday over an interview with Radyo INQUIRER.

“Umaasa po tayo na sana ay soonest na. Umuulan po dito sa Metro Manila pero hindi pa po umaabot doon sa Angat Dam,” he added.

Angat Dam’s water level further dropped below the 160-meter critical mark by 0.32 meters to 158.77 meters from 159.09 meters, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) dam water level update on Tuesday.

NWRB said the Angat reserve could hit its lowest level at 157.57 meters this week if lack of rain persists.

READ: Water level in Angat Dam may breach its ‘record-low’ this week – NWRB

Last Saturday, the NWRB already reduced the water allocation for Metro Manila from 40 cubic meters per second (cms) to 36 cms.

READ: Water service interruption worsens

The continuing decline in Angat Dam’s water level, on the other hand, resulted in rotational water interruptions in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)