Despite the rising temperatures, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) assured ample water supply and is prepared to implement augmentation programs for Metro Manila.
MWSS Division Manager Patrick Dizon said on Wednesday, Mar. 3, that the two concessionaires, Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services have inaugurated new water treatment plants (WTP) that would help meet the high water demand during the summer season.
Dizon explained that concessionaires can only lower the water pressure in households during late evenings to early mornings rather than cutting off the supply completely. This ensures that no water is wasted during the off-peak hours.
Subsequently, water interruptions are all scheduled around 10 PM to 4 AM only, according to the MWSS’ data on water usage to minimize inconvenience and still be able to provide better water service to consumers.
“We have [three] ready-to-operate WTPs,” he said. “These projects would augment [the demand] since we’re depending 90 percent of our water source from the Angat Dam.”
The current water level in Angat Dam is 198.15 meters (m), or 38 m near its critical level.
Ipo Dam’s level is 99.94 m, while La Mesa Dam’s elevation is at 75.9 m.
Dizon said that they are regularly seeking the National Water Resources Board [NWRB]’s approval not to lower the water allocation for the coming months, especially during the summer.
Because of the recent downpour of rain, the MWSS also believed that the rainfall provided an incremental effect on the water levels in Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa dams.