The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said the water allocation would be maintained at 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) until the end of June, as it requested with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Emmanuel Salamat, MWSS administrator, said this is to ensure water supply is available in protecting human health against the coronavirus disease and to sustain the current water system demands.
At 48 CMS water allocation, Salamat said almost 100 percent of Manila Water customers will enjoy 24/7 supply, while 80 to 90 percent of Maynilad customers will have 24-hour supply.
Also, daily rotational water service interruptions are isolated only during off-peak hours in high demand and elevated areas, he added.
The MWSS also said the request was granted by the NWRB because of the assurance that Angat Dam remains sustainable, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s probabilistic rainfall projection from June to November indicating that the watershed will receive above-normal rainfall.
The NWRB also projected that at 48 CMS allocation maintained in June, the dam will still be at a comfortable level of 188 meters, or more than 8 meters above the critical level, apart from the MWSS’ projected inflows of 55 CMS from Umiray-Angat-Ipo tributaries, which will offset the drawdowns from the Angat dam.
“The MWSS assures the public that we are doing our best efforts to meet the water needs and perform its mandate in providing clean and sufficient supply for Metro Manila and other service areas within MWSS jurisdiction,” Salamat said.
As of 8 a.m. yesterday, Angat Dam’s elevation is at 189.91 meters, which is 12.5 percent higher compared to 168.66 meters recorded in June 2, 2019.