Rains slightly raise Bulacan dams’ elevation

MALOLOS, Philippines — Rains that prevailed over Luzon in the past few days have slightly raised the water level in Angat and Ipo dams in Bulacan.

Data from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office showed that as of 8 a.m. yesterday, the elevation in Angat and Ipo increased to 173.18 and 99.87 meters, from the previous day’s 173.03 and 99.81 meters, respectively.

Meanwhile, the water level in Bustos Dam, also located in Bulacan, decreased to 17.33 meters yesterday from the previous day’s 17.39.

Angat’s elevation was lower by 6.82 meters than its minimum operating level of 180, and still below its normal high water level of 212 meters.

Earlier, Lawrence Nipales of the National Power Corp. told The STAR that aside from supplying 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs, Angat also provides 218 megawatts (MW) of hydropower and irrigates farmlands in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

Once the elevation falls below the 180-meter level, Angat’s water is automatically reserved for Metro Manila households, Nipales said.

With the present elevation, the dam is unable to provide 200 MW of hydropower needs of the Luzon grid.

The grid’s four main generators have stopped operating due to insufficient water to run its turbines.