Over 632,000 Households Face Impending Service Interruptions as Angat Dam Levels Plummet

In a sobering announcement on Tuesday, July 4, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) issued a warning that over 632,000 households in various parts of the country could face distressing water service interruptions. The cause of this potential crisis lies in the dwindling water levels at the Angat Dam in Bulacan and other water reservoirs.

Within the confines of Metro Manila, Patrick Dizon, the MWSS Division Manager, revealed the worst-case scenario: the Maynilad concession area might endure six to ten hours of water interruptions if the dams and reservoirs are not replenished by rainfall. This grim prospect is intricately linked to the El Niño phenomenon, anticipated to commence this month and potentially persist until the following year, as expounded by weather experts.

Taking swift action in response, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has adjusted the allocation for July, reducing it from last month’s 52 cubic meters per second (CMS) to 50 cms. This modification was prompted by the continuous decline of water levels at the Angat Dam. At the time of reporting on July 4, the water level stood at 181.57 meters, hovering just above the critical level of 180 meters.

Nevertheless, Dizon sought to provide reassurance amidst the mounting concerns. He affirmed that with the 50 cms allocation for July, there would be no disruption of water services within Manila Water’s concession area. Elaborating on the operational protocol for Angat Dam, he elucidated that once the reservoir’s elevation drops below 180 meters, the allocation for irrigation purposes would be curtailed, with priority given to domestic water supply.

Dizon also shed light on the positive impact of mitigation programs, underscoring a decline in the number of households experiencing water scarcity in comparison to April 2023. While over 1.5 million households suffered from water interruptions during that period, concerted efforts have evidently yielded a reduction in such incidents.