As regulators expect a continuous decline in the Angat Dam’s elevation, two Metro Manila concessionaires assured the public of their readiness to provide enough supply in case water allocation is reduced.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) recently shared its plan to possibly minimize the water allocation to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) from 50 cubic meters per second (cms) to 49 cms.
The MWSS manages the east and west zone concessionaires, Manila Water Co., and Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
The MWSS sources its water from Angat Dam, which is now at 185.2 meters (m), or 5.2 m away from its minimum operating level.
Acknowledging the possibility of a lowered supply distribution to the concessionaires, both water firms shared that they have planned their measures ahead of time, ensuring continued service to their consumers.
Dittie Galang, Manila Water’s Corporate Communications Head, stated that they are striving to maintain an uninterrupted supply during the intense heat.
“We have been preparing for these scenarios year on year since demand normally peaks during summer months, and especially since this is El Nino year, preparations have been more intensive,” she said. “It may not be comparable to last year since conditions are different, i.e. heat indices are higher by 2 degrees this year compared to the regular average.”
Manila Water has also made sure that they will provide consumers with the necessary advisories before they start any service changes.
Likewise, Maynilad expects normal service levels with the help of their augmentation projects which reduces the risk of lowered supply allocation despite the 49 cms expected on May 16.
“At any rate, we continue to manage pressure in the network during off-peak hours, and we caution customers from excessive water withdrawals as this could also affect water pressure during the daytime,” said Jennifer Rufo, Maynilad’s head of corporate communications.
The west zone concessionaire now expressed confidence that infrastructures are being used to gather more water from other sources, like the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant that generates water from the Laguna Lake.
“We’re in a better situation now compared to previous years. Even before El Nino fully set in last year, we were already facilitating supply augmentation projects that can generate additional supply from alternate sources, which could mitigate the impact of reduced allocations from Angat Dam,” she elaborated.
“It’s important now, more than ever, to manage our consumption so we can stretch the available supply until the rainy season comes,” Rufo added.