By Lilybeth Ison/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — As the water level in Angat Dam further dipped to 161.78 meters on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is set to reduce its allocation to water concessionaires from 46 cms. to 40 cms from June 19-21.
In a joint statement by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and MWSS, the dam’s elevation continues to decline and is projected to reach the critical level of 160 meters in three days.
The water regulatory board said the reduction in allocation was to “fine tune the preparation of the low-level outlet (LLO) as a back-up water discharge before the Angat Dam level reaches the 160 meters”.
“This will affect water supply going to our treatment plants and consequently, our ability to refill our reservoirs. We are therefore constrained to implement a new scheme of rotational water service interruptions for the entire East Zone for about 8-12 hours during night time,” said MWSS in a statement.
The East Zone is being serviced by the Manila Water which is projected to affect 80 percent of its customers.
For its part, Engineer Ronald Padua, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) Water Supply Operations head, in an interview with the media, said the reduction in allocation will affect 70 percent of its customers wherein 20 percent are considered to be “severely affected” as they may experience eight hours water supply window.
The remaining 50 percent may have roughly 9-16 hours water supply, he added.
The water regulatory board said that if the water level in Angat Dam breaches the 160 meters level by June 22, another reduction will be undertaken in the MWSS allocation to the two concessionaires.
However, they assured that at least 36 cms will be allocated to MWSS until the dam further declines to 150 meters.
With this latest development, the water regulatory board said a rotational water service interruptions will be implemented in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, and parts of Cavite.
“We again appeal to the public to conserve water and pray for heavy rains to come in the Angat watershed areas,” the statement said.
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