The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) yesterday said some areas in Metro Manila may experience night time interruptions next month if concessionaires’ allocation would be reduced to 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) from 50 CMS.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) plans the reduction to conserve water in the Angat dam in preparation for the summer months.
“…One of the impacts is there will be areas that will have less than 12 hours (of water) interruptions but (these) will only be limited during night time, from 10 p.m. to 4 or 6 a.m. It will be depend on our discussions,” said Patrick James Dizon, MWSS division manager for Angat-Ipo operation management, in an interview with reporters.
Dizon said the list of areas that will be affected by the interruptions is yet to be finalized but these are likely to be those in highly elevated areas.
But the MWSS remains optimistic the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s forecast of rainfall by May and June will be able to re-fill Metro Manila’s water reservoirs.
Dizon said the public is encouraged to use water wisely.
Maynilad and Manila Water said if the lower water allocation from the NWRB will be pursued, some system adjustments will have to be implemented so that service levels would not be unduly affected.
The companies said pressure management would have to be done to manage supply distribution and losses.
Based on the National Power Corp.’s data as of yesterday morning, Angat Dam’s elevation was at 201.46 meters which is below the 212 meters normal high water level of the facility but still far from the 180- meter normal operating level of the reservoir.
