Metro Manila has the lowest water rates among key cities here and in Asia-Pacific.
Data from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) showed at P104 per month for a household with 10 cubic meter (cu. m.) consumption — the minimum — Metro Manila has the lowest water rate compared to other metropolitan cities in the country.
The 2018 Global Water Intelligence Report meanwhile said Metro Manila has the eighth cheapest water rate in select Asia-Pacific cities at P18.28 per cu. m. for a household consumption of 15 cu. m.
LWUA data showed households in Baguio City using 10 cu.m. of water per month pay the most at P370 followed by San Jose del Monte, P280 and Cagayan de Oro City, P218.
For 20 cu. m. monthly consumption, Metro Manila water rates are the second lowest at P306 compared with those in other urban areas in the Philippines.
Households in Baguio City, San Jose del Monte and Cagayan de Oro City pay the most in this category at P775, P590 and P524, respectively.
Meanwhile, the 2018 Global Water Intelligence Report said Metro Manila has the eighth cheapest water rate in 19 Asia-Pacific cities at P18.28 per cu. m. for households using 15 cu. m. per month,
Sydney has the highest rate at P99.63 per cu. m. while Kuala Lumpur has the lowest rate at P7.53 per cu. m.
Contracts of Metro Manila water concessionaires are under review amid a possible risk of shortage by summer.
Experts said Angat dam should have ended 2019 with an ideal water level of 210 to 212 meters to ensure a “comfortable” level of water availability in Metro Manila by summer.
But based on available data from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, as of Dec. 20, 2019, Angat dam had an elevation level of 197.84 meters which improved to 202.72 meters as of Jan. 2, 2020.
As of yesterday (January 20) morning, the dam’s elevation level was at 203.80 meters.
