The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has raised the allocation of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) from 46 cubic meters per second (CMS) to 48 CMS starting Thursday, May 14, 2020, to boost the raw water supply for Metro Manila residents.
The 48 CMS water allocation will stay until May 30, 2020.
NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David told the BusinessMirror in an interview that the additional 2 CMS raw water allocation from Angat Dam shall be considered as a special requirement to sustain the steady supply of water in time of Covid-19 pandemic and due to relatively high heat index this month of May, which results in higher water demand of consumers in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite.
“Apparently, because of summer, the demand for water has increased. Upon the appeal of the MWSS, we decided to adjust the water allocation,” David said.
The 48 CMS is the full capacity of Angat. The last time the NWRB increased the water allocation for the MWSS was a day before President Duterte placed the entire country under a state of public health emergency and the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine last March.
David said with the dam operating at its full capacity—until May 30, 2020—the unannounced, or unexpected water service interruption, will be reduced, if not totally avoided.
This, however, would only last end of May only.
“Because of the intense heat, the demand for water increased so upon coordination with the MWSS to avoid unannounced water interruption, we have decided to increase the allocation. This is especially so because of the need for water to fight the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
David is confident that the current water level at Angat, which is 187 meters above sea level will suffice to ensure 24/7 water supply for Metro Manila. The normal operating level of Angat, he said, is 180 meters ASL.
He is confident that in between today and May 30, local thunderstorms and typhoon-induced rainfall such as Ambo will boost the current volume of water at Angat, and perhaps at Ipo Dam and La Mesa Dam.
Nevertheless, NWRB chief reiterates the need for water consumers to continue the practice of responsible use and conservation of water to further secure the water needs in the succeeding months and for the Angat Dam to recover to a more comfortable level by the end of the year.
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