Manila Water Co. assured customers in its East Zone concession of reliable and safe water supply despite the decline in Angat Dam’s water levels, tapping an expanded portfolio of alternative sources to meet an expected surge in demand ahead of the June 8 school opening.

While Angat Dam has fallen below its minimum operating level of 180 meters, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) concessionaire said its reliance on the main reservoir has decreased.

The company has aggressively diversified its raw water sources in recent years to mitigate the impact of dry-season drawdowns at Angat, which historically supplies the bulk of Metro Manila’s potable water.

Central to the utility's supply strategy is the full integration of alternative raw water facilities exclusively managed by Manila Water. The Upper Wawa Dam and the Tayabasan Weir lead the network, with the capacity to deliver up to 710 million liters per day to provide critical reinforcement to the broader distribution system.

The concessionaire is also drawing from several newly commissioned systems to anchor its grid. The Calawis Water Supply System Phase 1 currently delivers up to 80 million liters per day, while the Cardona Water Treatment Plant adds up to 110 million liters per day.

Additionally, the East Bay Phase 1 Treatment Plant contributes up to 50 million liters per day. Both the Cardona and East Bay facilities extract water from the central and eastern portions of Laguna Lake, expanding the company's geographical footprint beyond traditional watersheds.

These facilities have targeted expanding service areas in Rizal province, stabilizing supply for tens of thousands of residents while freeing up capacity for the denser urban nodes of the East Zone.

Manila Water plans to bring two more major infrastructure projects online by the third quarter of this year to further expand its supply buffer. The Wawa Kaysakat Project is scheduled to add 220 million liters per day, while Phase 2 of the East Bay Water Supply Project will introduce another 200 million liters per day of raw water capacity.

The multiple water sources and buffer capacities allow Manila Water to maintain dependable service levels even during periods of lower Angat Dam supply, ensuring that communities and schools can rely on consistent water availability as classes resume, according to Dittie Galang, Manila Water’s head of corporate communication affairs.

The utility confirmed that current operational volumes are sufficient to maintain standard water pressure and continuous service, eliminating the need for service interruptions or scheduled rationing.