Angat Dam returning to minimum operational level

MALOLOS, Philippines — Monsoon rains are replenishing Angat Dam, with the water in its reservoir rising and approaching its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Based on monitoring by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan, the dam’s water elevation as of yesterday morning was at 174.24 meters. This is 1.68 meters higher than the elevation recorded last Saturday.

The increasing water elevation is just 5.67 meters below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

The National Water Resources Board earlier slashed down the dam’s water allocation for domestic use for Metro Manila residents to only 36 cubic meters per second. The normal allocation is at 48 cms.

This reduction led the two water concessionaires for Metro Manila to implement the rotational water service interruptions and for authorities to totally cut the water supply for irrigation purposes in Bulacan and Pampanga provinces.

Aside from the Angat dam, the PDRRMO monitored the Ipo Dam’s water elevation at 100.91 meters, a slight reduction from the previous day’s level of 100.97 meters.

The water level at Bustos Dam is already at 17.53 meters, which is slightly above its spilling level of 17.50 meters.