Angat Dam’s water level down

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam has dropped to below 200 meters amid the dry season, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said as of 6 a.m. yesterday, the dam’s water level was 199.76 meters from 200.01 meters on Saturday, or lower by .25 meters.

Despite the decline, the water elevation was 10.56 meters above its rule curve elevation of 189.29 meters.

The rule curve elevation enables the dam to fulfill its functions.

The minimum operating level of Angat Dam is 180 meters.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System have assured the public that the current water level in Angat is sufficient for the needs of Metro Manila and nearby provinces until December.

Angat supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water as well as the irrigation needs of the farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

As this developed, consumers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. have been experiencing daily water interruption despite the additional daily allocation of 50 cubic meters per second (cms) provided to it and its fellow concessionaire Manila Water.

NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. defended the decision of the board to approve the 50 cms additional allocation instead of the 52 cms as requested by Maynilad and Manila Water.

David said the additional allocation would remain in effect until April 15.

Among those affected by daily water cutoffs of eight to 14 hours are some areas in Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Makati, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City and Valenzuela as well as Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite.