By Nikolai Ordoña 

Maynilad Water Services Inc. has scheduled nighttime water interruptions which will begin on Wednesday, July 12, to preserve the supply amid the declining water level of Angat Dam, adding that mobile water tankers would be deployed as needed.

According to Maynilad Supply Operations Head Ronaldo Padua, 591,000 customers from different barangays in Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, Navotas, Quezon City, and Manila would be affected by the interruptions lasting from 7:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. or 6:00 A.M. in some areas.

However, water allocation had already been reduced since July 8, when Angat Dam’s water level dropped from its standard operating measure. 

Angat Dam provides over 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water and irrigates 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

As of July 10, the dam’s water level was only 179.23 meters—below the dam’s normal operating level of 180 meters. This could further fall to 176 and 177 meters if there were no rain in the following days, as the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) projected.

“We can’t answer until when this situation will end. We’re hoping there will be rains over the Ipo watershed to augment the water supply,” Padua said.

Consumers were advised to remember the schedule of interruptions and to store enough water in clean, covered containers. 

In light of this, concessionaire Manila Water will provide Maynilad 25 million liters in the coming days, which may be increased upon arrangement as per Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Division Manager Engineer, Patrick Dizon.

The National Irrigation Administration Central Luzon Office will also mobilize 500 shallow tube wells to assist farmers. 

Local Government Units in the National Capital Region were also urged to regulate the water usage of businesses and establishments. In fact, Francis Zamora, the Mayor of San Juan City, cancelled the water-dousing tradition during the St. John the Baptist feast last June 24, while water catchment areas have been set up to store rainwater.

Effect of El Niño 

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hydrologist Rosalie Pagulayan, the water level drop in Angat Dam is “alarming” and “critical for Metro Manila.”

Pagulayan said that only three Luzon dams, namely; Binga Dam in Benguet, Magat Dam in Isabela, and Caliraya Dam in Laguna increased water level while the rest dropped.

Meanwhile, MWSS Division Manager Engineer Patrick Dizon claimed that historical records indicate that despite El Niño, the water level in Angat Dam is expected to increase by August or September. 

On the other hand, NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said that the water allocation might be further adjusted if no rains would come to replenish the dams, in order to preserve the supply and to prepare for the effect of El Niño at the end of the year.

Thumbnail from The Philippine Information Agency