‘Angat Dam level good for 2 months water supply’

MANILA, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has assured the public of uninterrupted water supply for two months as the level of Angat Dam has reached 199.69 meters.

In a radio interview, NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said that the current water level of Angat Dam can last for 60 days before it returns below its normal operating level of 180 meters in the event that rains will not come to replenish the reservoir.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level of Angat Dam had increased by 0.36 meters compared to its previous level of 199.33 meters.

David noted that while the rains brought by Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon caused flooding in many areas in the country, the dams were able to replenish as the Angat Dam has already increased by more than 20 meters since the second week of July.

He added that the NWRB hopes that the water level of Angat Dam will further improve and attain its normal high operating level of 210 meters to 212 meters to ensure enough supply of water for Metro Manila and the irrigation systems until next year and next summer.

“We want that the July level will not happen again. The rains brought by the monsoon rains are equivalent to our two months supply for Metro Manila. We are confident that the rains will continue to be experienced in the watersheds of Angat Dam to be able to sustain the present level until we reach 210 meters,” David added.

At the same time, David reiterated his call for the public to conserve water amid the threat of El Niño.

“We need to be responsible in our consumption of water especially because it is expected that El Niño will affect us. It is better for us to have enough water stored in our dams. It is better not to waste water when using it,” he said.