Rotating water interruptions set next week

MANILA, Philippines — Some customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. may experience up to nine hours of water service interruption starting next week as the water level of Angat Dam drops below the minimum operating level.

Monitoring by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed Angat’s water level further decreased to 180.45 meters as of 6 a.m. on July 7 compared to 180.89 meters a day earlier.

The water level of Angat Dam is expected to reach the minimum operating level of 180 meters on July 8, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) division manager Patrick Dizon said.

However, he said water service interruptions will not be implemented immediately.

“Expected interruption will be on July 12, at the earliest, but if there are rains, this reprieve could be extended with interruptions to start by July 14,” Dizon said.

Some 591,000 Maynilad customers will be covered by the water service interruptions of up to nine hours, from 7 p.m .to 4 a.m., Dizon said. The number is less than the 1.5 million households affected by the 14- to 16-hour water interruption implemented by Maynilad in late March to mid-April.

Lower allocation

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) recently approved a lower raw water allocation for MWSS from Angat, from the current 50 to 48 cubic meters per second (CMS).

Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration will receive up to 20 CMS from 38.5 CMS until end-July, once Angat’s water level drops below 180 meters.

NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said the 48 CMS water allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water will be implemented on July 9 until month’s end.

“It is effective once the water level of Angat Dam reaches below 180 meters. Based on our projection, by Sunday or Monday it will reach below 180 meters. That is immediate, we will adjust (the allocation),” David said.

The MWSS has directed Maynilad to issue a notice of interruption for the details of affected areas through their social media on July 10.

In a text message, Maynilad corporate communications head Jennifer Rufo will make an official announcement on the specific details of the service interruption on Monday.

Hot, humid

Hot and humid weather is expected to persist in the next days due to the monsoon break amid the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, according to PAGASA.

State weather forecasters said the southwest monsoon, which is what drives rainfall during the wet season, is currently far from the country, signaling a monsoon break.

PAGASA noted that despite the wet season, the prevailing easterlies are also bringing warm air in some areas of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The highest recorded temperature on July 6 reached 38.0 degrees Celsius in Isu, Echague in Isabela.

Still, localized thunderstorms and the Intertropical Convergence Zone are forecast to still bring rains over parts of the country. Isolated rainshowers are expected over Metro Manila due to the ITCZ, easterlies and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during at times heavy rains. Despite the prevailing El Niño, normal to above normal rainfall conditions are expected to continue from the months of July to September in most parts of the country due to the northwest monsoon.

The adverse impact of the El Niño may be seen by the last quarter of this year and fully felt by the next dry season in the country, especially in terms of water shortages.

State weather forecasters said El Niño will be moderate to strong in strength and will persist until the first quarter of 2024. — Bella Cariaso, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Romina Cabrera