The water level of Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila's water requirement, has decreased to 195 meters, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) disclosed on Tuesday, March 8.
While the NWRB said the water level is still 15 meters above its minimum operating level of 180 meters, it is slightly lower than Angat Dam’s water level during the previous years.
“Dapat bago pumasok ang taon mga 212 yan ang nangyari dahil wala tayo masyadong ulang naranasan sa Watershed ng Angat ang naging 202 lang at mula po ng pumasok ang Enero patuloy po itong bumababa ngayon nasa 195 meters (Before 2022 started the water level should be at 212 meters but because of lesser rains at Angat’s Watershed it become 202 and since January it continuously decreased to 195 meters),” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David explained at Laging Handa briefing.
He reiterated that the government and concerned agencies need to ensure Angat’s steady water supply.
In an earlier statement, David said that the agency has worked with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Power Corporation (NPC), and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
To increase the water level of Angat Dam the agencies will implement measures such as reducing allocation for domestic and irrigation needs; reactivation of deep wells for the use of MWSS; cloud seeding operations; and maximizing the use of water treatment plants owned by Maynilad and Manila Water.
The NWRB and the NIA will implement different water management strategies, including shallow tube wells to reduce irrigation water usage.
On the other hand, the MWSS will conduct cloud seeding operations in Angat Watershed and Bustos Dam in Bulacan and La Mesa Dam in Quezon City from March 7 until April 10 to prevent Angat Dam’s water level from decreasing.
“This endeavor is in coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. We decided to conduct the cloud seeding operations this March due to the right weather conditions and after the amihan or northeast monsoon season,” David said.
He also assured the public of sufficient water supply for the summer season, but residents must still conserve water.