Egay improves Angat’s water level

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan has risen to 195.05 meters due to rains brought by Super Typhoon Egay and the monsoon, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Falcon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said that as of 6 a.m. yesterday, the dam’s water level had increased by 1.21 meters from its previous level of 193.84 meters.

The water elevation is still 14.95 meters below Angat’s normal high level of 210 meters, state weather forecasters said.

In a text message to The STAR, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System deputy administrator Jose Dorado Jr. said the MWSS is hopeful that Angat’s water level would reach the maximum before yearend.

“This is a good development. Based on our protocol, we target to reach 212 meters at the end of the year,” Dorado said.

PAGASA deputy administrator Nathaniel Servando said at least one to two more strong typhoons are needed to ensure that Angat would achieve its maximum capacity level.

Angat supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and irrigates 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

With the improvement of the water level in Angat as well as in Ipo Dam, the Maynilad Water Services Inc. suspended its water interruption scheme.

On July 12, Maynilad started implementing daily water cutoffs of nine to 11 hours in Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Valenzuela, Navotas and Quezon City after the National Water Resources Board reduced the water allocation of the water concessionaire by two cubic meters.

The water allocation cut for Maynilad and Manila Water was due to Angat’s falling water level, which had dropped to 180 cms at the time.

Aside from Angat, the water level in other dams in the country such as Magat in Isabela, Caliraya in Laguna, San Roque in Pangasinan and Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija also increased due to rains spawned by Egay and the monsoon.