Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco yesterday allayed fears of water shortage despite the onset of the dry season and the low water level at the La Mesa Dam.
“The main water source of supply for Metro Manila is the Angat and Ipo dams. Despite the extreme hot weather, Angat Dam’s water level remains high at 194.3 meters which is 14 meter more than its required level of 180 meters. So there is adequate water supply to meet domestic and industrial demand in Metro Manila,” Velasco said. “The decrease in the water level of La Mesa Dam is a normal occurrence during the dry season where rainfall is nil, if not minimal, and water evaporation is high.”
Velasco made the assurance to customers of Manila Water and Maynilad following his meeting with Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez and Manila Water COO Ding Carpio to resolve the technical issues over raw water supply allocation due to increase demand of water by consumers during the summer months.
The MWSS chief also reported that the National Water Resources Board has committed to increase water allocation from Angat Dam to La Mesa Dam by 172 MLD on top of the regular 4,000 MLD to cover the water in Metro Manila and its environs. Per the concession agreement, Maynilad is allocated 60 percent share of water while Manila Water, 40 percent. “Sixty-40 is not about up to the last decimal,” Velasco said.
National Water Resources Board executive director Sevillo David confirmed the assurance made by MWSS. Sevillo also called on the consumers to conserve water and be responsible in their water consumption.
“The water reserve from Angat Dam is still enough to supply the overall needs of the residents in Metro Manila and the irrigation needs in nearby Luzon during this hot and dry season but of course, I call on everyone to conserve and preserve water—which is one of our basic commodities,” Sevillo said.
Sevillo added that even though we are prepared to give additional allocation, the public should also be responsible in their consumption.
NWRB is expecting the early onset of rainy season, as forecasted by the weather agency PAGASA.
Meanwhile, to address possible water interruptions and complement the water supply from the La Mesa Dam reservoir, Manila Water Corporate Communications Head Jeric Sevilla announced that its Rizal Water Supply Improvement Project due to be finished this year would be tapped to augment the demand of water consumers.
According to Velasco, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has out in place a continuing Water Security Program that is parallel to the demand with a provision of about 7-10 percent buffer. Concessionaires are required to submit continuous supply-demand projections to determine the amount to be invested in the water infrastructure.
For a program that is continuing, timelines are very useful, according to Velasco. He admits the present government may not be able to finish all the projects in 2022. “But at least we can start some, we can finish one, at least Kaliwa,” he expressed.
The Kaliwa Dam project’s main component is the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in Brgy. Pagsanhan, Gen. Nakar, Quezon and Brgy. Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon, which has 600 (MLD) capacity, and a 2,400 MLD capacity of its water supply tunnel.
Other projects under the Water Security Program of the Duterte administration are the Rizal Province Water Supply Improvement Project being undertaken by Manila Water, the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Water, Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, and the Sumag Diversion and Relocation Project.
