MANILA, Philippines — The water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan is decreasing by 12 centimeters every day due to El Niño, according to an official of the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage and System.
MWSS division manager Patrick Dizon yesterday urged the public to conserve water to minimize the decline in the dam’s contents.
As of 6 a.m. yesterday, Angat’s water level was 211.55 meters, or down by 0.13 from the previous day’s 211.68 meters.
“We need to conserve water so we can still have enough for the next months when El Niño persists,” Dizon said.
He blamed the decline in the dam’s water level to the absence of rainfall over the reservoir’s watershed.
Rain in December 2023 increased the dam’s water level to 214 meters.
Dizon said the technical working group was able to increase the water elevation to around 214 meters on Dec. 31. He said there would be enough water for the summer if people start conserving now.
The group is composed of the MWSS, National Water Resources Board, National Irrigation Authority, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.