The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Corporate Office (MWSS-CO) assured continuous supply of raw water from the Angat Dam amid a scheduled total plant shutdown of the hydro power plant inside the facility until January next year.
MWSS-CO said in a statement Angat Hydropower Corp., operator of the Angat hydroelectric power plant (AHEPP), will undertake major repair and rehabilitation of its existing penstock in conjunction with the modernization of the power plant.
The agency said AHEPP will require a total plant shutdown for 61 days starting from November 6 to January 6 to conduct steps that will prolong the lifespan of the plant and ensure a stable water supply for household use and irrigation.
MWSS-CO said
a comprehensive guideline on the operation of the Angat Dam spillway and low-level outlet has been created together with Maynilad and Manila Water to ensure water supply during the total plant shutdown of AHEPP.
MWSS-CO added the guideline has been approved by members of the Interagency Technical Working Group on Angat Dam Operations and Management, including the National Water Resources Board, the National Power Corp. and the National Irrigation Administration, among others.
The agency also said the water level of Angat Dam is at 209.48-meter as of last Sunday which is near its normal high-water level of 210-meters and capable of supplying raw water for the MWSS service areas in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal Provinces throughout the shutdown period of AHEPP.
AHEPP is a joint-venture asset between SMC Global Power which undertakes the operations and maintenance of the power plant and Korea Water Resources Corp. which provides technical expertise.
The hydro power plant has a total generating capacity of 218 megawatts, comprising of four main units and three auxiliary units.