With the recently approved water allocation from the Angat Dam for domestic consumption, east zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. is calling on consumers to immediately conserve water.

Manila Water corporate communications head Dittie Galang explained that, even with the allocation increment, they will continue to reduce the water pressures in their operating areas only during the late evenings and early mornings.

“We are still implementing reduced pressure during off-peak hours [from 10 PM to 4 AM] since allocation is kept at 50 CMS for now. Should there be any changes in the customer experience, we will provide advisories with ample time for the customers to prepare,” she told Manila Bulletin.

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Carlos Primo David announced Monday, April 29, that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) will receive an adjusted supply of 50 cubic meters per second (cms) from May 1 to May 15 to address the increasing demand of water during the hot season.

The previously discussed allocation, as of early April, was 48 cms.

Manila Water is one of MWSS' concessionaires, providing water supply to the eastern parts of Metro Manila.

“As supply continues to be threatened by increasing demand, especially in light of soaring heat indices in Metro Manila, we strongly encourage our customers to always be responsible in using water, avoid wasting water, and seize opportunities to reuse,” Galang added.

“This will greatly help in sustaining the limited raw water supply, hopefully, until the rains replenish our water sources.”

As of Tuesday, April 30, the current Angat Dam elevation was down to 188.05 meters (m), which is 28.05 meters from the critical level of 160 m.

Angat Dam is the largest supplier of Metro Manila potable water, as it delivers around 90 percent of water in the Metropolitan.