MWSS: No water problems expected next year

The watershed around Angat Dam in Bulacan province is seen in this photo taken in November 2021. —CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

There will be enough water for residents in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces from this month until 2023 even with the resumption of economic activities, according to a Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) official.

“I think we don’t have any concern or problem with regard to the water situation this year up to December and also up to next year,” MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas told reporters.

“Right now, although we are saying that [the] majority of our water sources is coming from Angat, we have other sources that will augment the water from Angat and … even though here in Metro Manila it’s [kind of] sunny, [there are] no rains, we are very happy that the elevation in Angat is increasing,” Cleofas said.

“This is because of our Umiray River. We have the Umiray tunnel that augments the water in Angat,” she added, referring to the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Rehabilitation Project designed to provide additional water to the Angat water system.

As of this writing, Angat Dam’s water level stands at around 208 meters, slightly lower than the normal high of 210 meters but far from the critical level of 160 meters. The minimum operating level of the dam, which supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs, is 180 meters.

“Although our target is 210 meters so we are almost there, we want to maximize [that] up to 212 meters and also as I’ve said, we have other sources like the Cardona [and] Putatan [water treatment plants] that draw water from Laguna Lake and also this one,” Cleofas said, pointing to the newly inaugurated first phase of the P26-billion Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project in Rizal province.

Looking for other sources

But while Metro Manila’s water supply may be sufficient for now, the MWSS is still looking for other sources to meet the increasing demand.

“Admittedly, we are in a catch-up mode as far as water supply source is concerned, since our main water source which is the Angat Dam, which supplies 90 percent of water to customers of Maynilad, Manila Water and Luzon Clean Water [Development Corp.], is already 55 years old,” said MWSS chair Elpidio Vega.

“Since its construction in 1967, no other major water source has been built, except for some water supply projects from Laguna Lake by both Maynilad and Manila Water,” he added.

Manila Water Co. Inc.’s treatment plant in Cardona, Rizal, which taps water from the central portion of Laguna Lake, has a capacity of 100 million liters per day (MLD).

On the other hand, Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s two water treatment facilities in Putatan, Muntinlupa, have a combined capacity of 300 MLD.

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