MWSS seeks higher water allocation

MANILA, Philippines — A higher water allocation of 52 cubic meters per second from 51 cms is being sought by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for a buffer supply that will guarantee zero water interruptions in Metro Manila.

The MWSS has requested the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to increase by one cms its water allocation from June 16-30.

There would be no water interruptions in service areas even at 50 cms, which is the minimum operating allocation, MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas clarified yesterday.

“We promised the Office of the President that there will be no water interruptions,” she said.

Recent rains allowed water concessionaires to have uninterrupted supply even if the NWRB allocates 50 cms, she noted.

“When there is excess water, we are the ones requesting not to release water from Angat because we want to save water,” Cleofas said.

From June 1-15, the MWSS’ water allocation was increased to 51 cms amid the comfortable water elevation at Angat Dam.

Officials have noted a slowdown in the decrease of the reservoir’s level as rains have begun.

The MWSS had a 49-cms allocation in the last two weeks of May.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, Angat Dam’s water level stood at 178.08 meters, slightly higher than 178.05 meters recorded on Monday, according to the state weather bureau.

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.