The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) assured Metro Manila residents of sufficient water supply until next year despite the resumption of more face-to-face activities.
Leonor Cleofas, MWSS administrator, told reporters in an interview in Rizal Province last Tuesday this is due to the availability of additional water sources other than Angat Dam.
“We don’t have any concern or problem with regards to the water situation this year up to December and also up to next year. Although…majority of our water comes from Angat, we have other sources that will augment (supply) … and the elevation in Angat is increasing,” Cleofas said.
One of the water- related projects that help Angat Dam provide sufficient water in Metro Manila is Manila Water Corp.’s 10 million liters per day facility in Marikina River.
The MWSS also said the tunnel connected to the Umiray river branching in the provinces of Aurora and Quezon also helps in augmenting Metro Manila water supply.
As of 10 a.m. on December 7, the water level of Angat Dam which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirements, is at 208.95 meters above sea level (masl), 6 percent higher than the 196.65 masl recorded for the similar day last year.
“…Our elevation is more than 208 masl and we are just in the beginning of December.
Although, our target is 210 and we are almost there, we want to maximize up to 212 masl … we have other sources like the Cardona, Putatan that draws water from Laguna Lake and also this (Tayabasan Weir in Rizal Province),” Cleofas said.
The National Water Resources Board earlier said Angat dam’s water lvel at the end of the year must reach at least 212 masl to ensure no supply disruptions especially during the summer months next year. -Jed Macapagal
