Less rain in October prompts lower water supply allocation in MM–NWRB

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer rains in October have prompted authorities to lower the water supply allocation in Metro Manila, which could result again in water supply interruptions.

National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. on Wednesday said that the water level in Angat Dam, which supplies water in Metro Manila, dropped to 186.23 meters from about 191 meters in the last week of September.

This prompted the NWRB to lower the water supply allocation for Metro Manila from 46 cubic meters per second to 40 cubic meters per second.

“Itong buwan ng Oktubre, halos wala o kakaunti ‘yung pag-ulan na naranasan natin particular sa Angat watershed, at ito ay nagresulta ng pagbaba ng level nya [This October, we experienced little to no rain, particularly over Angat watershed, and this resulted to the dip in the dam’s water level],” David said in an interview over Radyo INQUIRER.

“Kailangan natin paghandaan kasi ‘yung patuloy na pagbaba kailangan natin i-manage yung kasalukuyang supply para naman matugunan yung pangangailangan natin sa buong taon hanggang sa susunod na taon [We need to manage the supply of water for us to have ample supply until next year],” he added.

David added that the lower supply allocation will stay until the water level in Angat Dam “recovers.”

The NWRB is also mulling resuming its cloud seeding operations, which had been suspended recently due to the onset of the rainy season, David said.

However, he said this move has yet to be coordinated with the weather bureau as well as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water earlier announced that it will implement water supply interruptions for up to 18 hours starting Thursday (Oct. 24).

READ: Manila Water: Rationing, supply interruption may start October 24

David advised Metro Manila residents to wisely store and recycle water to pull through with the water supply interruptions.

“Gamitin ng tama at huwag aksayahin ang tubig at i-recycle kung maaari. Makakatulong ito sa kakulangan na nararanasan [Do not waste water and recycle it, if possible. This will help in addressing the water shortage],” he said.