Metro assured of enough water this summer

MANILA, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) increased the water allocation from Angat Dam to Metro Manila effective yesterday amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

From 42 cubic meters per second, water allocation to concessionaires is now 46 CMS.

“This is to ensure a steady supply for Metro Manila, considering the declaration of the state of public health emergency and the importance of water in undertaking the preventive measures against COVID-19,” said NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr.

Metro Manila gets 96 percent of its water from Angat Dam in Bulacan.

Since January, the NWRB has maintained water allocation to water concessioniars at 42 CMS despite lower levels recorded in Angat Dam.

As of Thursday morning, water level in Angat stood at 200.58 meters, down by 0.14 meters from what was recorded Wednesday, data from the weather bureau’s dam monitoring showed. 

Angat dam has a normal high water level of 210 meters.

The NWRB said that though there is enough water supply for the summer months, they reviewed the water allocation and saw the need to increase it as they expect increased water usage due to frequent handwashing and bathing by the public because of the threat of COVID-19.

“We are in full support of the government’s campaign of preventing the coronavirus disease from spreading,” David said.

“We’ve been coordinating with our partners like the MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) on the said matter,” David added.

The water official said it was a good thing that starting January, they were already able to manage water supply for Metro Manila so that there would be enough for the summer months until the rainy season sets in.

The NWRB is assuring the public that water will be sustainably available throughout the year. The public is similarly asked to avoid wastage and to use water responsibly.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros had earlier warned the government that the ongoing water service rotation in Metro Manila is putting entire communities at grave risk, denying many Filipinos the ability to protect themselves against the COVID-19 outbreak.

“How can we wash our hands if there is no water?” asked Hontiveros as the number of individuals infected by COVID-19 breached 50 last night.

Hontiveros raised her warning following announcements by water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad that they will continue the rotational water service interruptions this month.

Hontiveros said the supply interruptions would have a severely disastrous effect on efforts to contain the fast spread of COVID-19 in the metropolis. 

“There is only one thing more important than face masks or alcohol in our fight to prevent the virus and that is running water,” Hontiveros said.

“Proper hand washing with soap and running water is the most effective way to kill viruses and avoid getting infected,” she said.

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the spread of COVID-19 should serve as a wake-up call on the need to stop illegal wildlife trade.

Citing claims by experts on the connection of illegal wildlife trade and its consumption to the disease outbreak, Cimatu said, “The spread of COVID-19 should serve as a stark reminder of the dire consequence for humans of the illegal wildlife trade, which has been pushing endangered and vulnerable wildlife species toward extinction.” – With Louise Maureen Simeon