NWRB to prioritize domestic water supply if…

MANILA, Philippines — National Water Resources Board executive director Sevillo David Jr. said that the NWRB will be forced to prioritize the water allocation for domestic supply once the level of Angat Dam reaches 180 meters.

During a forum over the weekend, David underscored the need to conserve water amid the announcement from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that it may increase the El Niño alert status in May.

“If there is El Niño, we expect below normal rainfall. That is why we really need to prepare now that the situation is still normal,” he said.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level at Angat Dam had dropped further to 196.32 meters, 0.20 less compared to its measure of 196.52 on Saturday.

“Once Angat Dam reaches its minimum operating level of 180 meters, we prioritize the domestic supply,” David said.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and provides for the irrigation needs of 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

David added that currently the NWRB provides 30 cubic meters per second for irrigation while the daily water consumption for Metro Manila is pegged at almost 4,200 million liters.

“We still need to consider that farmers will start the wet cropping season where they need water for irrigation. We also want the dam to recover so that if there is El Niño, the level of the Angat Dam is at a comfortable level to support the domestic water supply and the irrigation,” he added.

According to David, the water consumption for irrigation is bigger compared to domestic use.

“For irrigation the consumption is between 70 and 80 percent while domestic or municipal supply, including the commercial use, the maximum is 20 percent,” he noted.

David said that it is important that the public should not waste water as part of conservation measures being pushed by the NWRB.

“When we are washing our hands and brushing our teeth, make sure the water is not wasted. These are simple practices that are not difficult to do but will be a big help in saving water,” he added.

The NWRB has approved 52 cubic meters per second allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water until May, 2023 to address the water interruption being experienced by customers.

David has said that the country is now more prepared for the possible impact of the El Niño phenomenon compared to the drought experienced in 2019 which led to a water crisis.

He said that the government learned from the El Niño phenomenon where the Angat Dam reached its lowest level of 116 meters in June 2019.