The National Water Resources Board approved a higher allocation for Metro Manila concessionaires.
NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said in a text message the body increased the water allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. to 45 cubic meters per second from 38 cms.
David said the higher allocation was effective until November 23.
“This is based on their request due to rapidly declining and depletion of water supply at Ipo Dam and with reduced local flows,” David said.
“We increased the allocation until November 23 for Ipo Dam to attain a good level and prevent or minimize water interruption,” he added.
Ipo dam’s water level on Tuesday stood at 100.75 meters, up 0.01 percent from 100.74 meters on November 16.
Angat dam’s water level also rose by 0.18 percent to 207.95 meters from the previous day’s 207.77 meters.
David said the NWRB Board would meet next week to review the water allocation for December.
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad said due to the higher allocation, it temporarily suspended the daily off-peak water service interruptions from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. that affected 56 percent of the company’s customers from November 13 to 15, and reverted to pressure management instead.
“This as the release of additional supply from Angat Dam increased water elevation at Ipo Dam and La Mesa portal facilities where the water concessionaires get their respective share of the allocation,” Maynilad said.
“With this increased allocation, Maynilad can meet the water requirements of its customers despite continued lack of rains over the Ipo watershed due to El Niño,” it added.
Maynilad on Nov. 13 was forced to implement an emergency re-implementation of the daily off-peak service interruptions to manage the low volume of water reaching its treatment plants.
The company said it could not sustain its usual water output due to the reduced allocation and lack of rains over the watersheds.
“Maynilad will give two days’ advance notice should its service levels be affected after the temporary increase of raw water allocation from Angat Dam is lifted,” the company said.
Manila Water, meanwhile, said it also temporarily suspended the implementation of a seven-hour reduced water pressure reduction in its service area.
“Additional allocation is meant to ensure normal water supply in the East zone during the Apec week. Just for this week, we are not implementing water pressure reduction,” said Manila Water corporate communications head Jeric Sevilla Jr.
He the company would resume pressure reduction after the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.
“We will continue to implement as we have yet to know what would be the allocation that will be given by the NWRB for December and the succeeding months, and Angat level is still below the year-end target of 212 meters,” Sevilla said.