NWRB to cut Metro’s water allocation

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the continued drop in the elevation of Angat Dam, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will implement reduction in the water allocation for Metro Manila starting April, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)announced yesterday.

Environment Undersecretary Carlos David confirmed that the NWRB, which is an attached agency of the DENR, would reduce the allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water to 48 cubic meters per second from the current 50 CMS.

“In April, we may return to our regular allocation of 48 CMS. Unless rains will come, the 50 CMS this month could be retained,” David, who also heads the DENR’s Water Management Office, said.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water elevation in Angat Dam was at 202.28 meters or 0.19 meters less compared to its previous level of 202.47 meters. It was 9.72 meters below the normal high water level of 212 meters.

“Since December 2023, more than the needed amount of water is being provided to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System at 50 CMS. Normally, only 48 CMS was given to MWSS, enough to supply Metro Manila,” David explained.

He said there is a need to preserve the water from Angat Dam amid the expected prolonged impact of El Niño.

“We expect that the effects of El Niño could extend for a few more months. Actually, it is weakening. We are already on the tail end, but the drought effects may extend for three months,” David said.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and provides for the irrigation requirement of 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

“We don’t want that by June or July, we will have a shortage of water. So this early, we need to implement a slight decrease in our allocation,” David said.

Angat Dam’s water elevation is still 22.28 meters high before it reaches its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

David asked the public to conserve water.

“We need to remember that we share one resource for the entire Metro Manila. There is a need to save water so we will not experience shortage in June,” he said.

Maynilad corporate communications head Jennifer Rufo reported an increase in the water demand in Metro Manila amid the hot weather.

Rufo said if the allocation of Maynilad and Manila Water is reduced to 48 CMS in April when the demand is expected to peak, it would be more difficult to meet consumers’ water requirements.

NWRB policy and program division chief Susan Abaño has said that while the allocation would remain at 50 CMS this month, the board could not sustain it amid the decline in Angat Dam’s water elevation.