NWRB to further cut Angat water allocation

MANILA, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has decided to further reduce allocation for water supply and irrigation once the Angat Dam falls below the minimum operating level, which is projected to happen this weekend.

In a text message yesterday, NWRB executive director Sevillo David said the board would modify the raw water allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) if the level of Angat Dam falls below 180 meters.

The MWSS will get an allocation of 48 cubic meters per second from the current 50 CMS.

The NIA will receive up to 20 CMS from 38.5 CMS until end-July, according to David.

Once Angat reaches the minimum operating level, the NWRB official said water supply for Metro Manila would be prioritized over irrigation.

David noted that the NIA allocation would be for the farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

“This allocation will still be reviewed based on the development of the level of the dam,” he said.

Based on the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Angat’s water level further dropped to 181.18 meters yesterday from 181.53 meters on Wednesday.

With Angat just 1.22 meters away before reaching its critical level, David said they project the dam water level to fall below 180 meters this weekend.

“So our advisory is, once it falls below 180 meters, allocation will automatically adjust, which is also in preparation for El Niño,” he said.

MWSS division manager Patrick Dizon said they would review the impact of the reduced Angat allocation with Maynilad and Manila Water Company Inc.

MWSS deputy administrator Jose Dorado Jr. said Metro Manila mayors should pass ordinances regulating golf courses, car wash and swimming pools amid the dry spell. – Bella Cariaso