MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. Inc. is
seeking the creation of an inter-agency task force on El Niño to
prepare Metro Manila for a possible long dry spell over the next few
months, according to a company official.
Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water manager for corporate communications,
warned that this early in the year, the water level at Angat Dam in
Bulacan is already 202 meters above sea level (masl) – the lowest
level recorded in the past six years.
“Normally, around this time, the water level should be around 208
masl,” he noted, adding that the critical level for the dam was 180
masl.
Sevilla said that Manila Water, together with Metropolitan
Waterworks Sewerage System and Maynilad Water Services Inc., had
submitted a tripartite letter to the National Water Resources Board
(NWRB) last week, asking it to look into the water supply situation
in Metro Manila in view of a possible dry spell.
The NWRB is responsible for ensuring the optimum exploitation,
utilization, development, conservation and protection of the
country’s water resources.
Sevilla further said that the three companies wanted a formal
declaration from concerned government agencies on whether the
looming El Niño would be mild, moderate or strong, so they could
prepare contingency measures as early as this month.
To further illustrate the urgency of the issue, Sevilla noted
that from Sunday midnight to 8 a.m. Monday, the water level at the
Angat dam had declined by nine centimeters.
He added that should the country experience a prolonged dry
spell, it would mean that the water concessionaires, namely Manila
Water and Maynilad, would have to decrease the amount of water it
draws from the dam.
Currently, Manila Water provides 1,350 million liters of water
per day (mld) to the east zone concession area, Water firm asks
agency to form task force on El Niño.
Metro Manila’s 15 million residents draw 97 percent of raw water
supply from the Angat Dam and Reservoir in Bulacan. Angat has an
existing capacity of 4,000 mld for domestic supply.
Sevilla assured the public that Manila Water is putting in place
several measures –including looking for alternative water sources –
that could help address a possible prolonged dry spell.
“Even if there is a prolonged dry spell, we are still looking at
making water supply available for our consumers 24/7. But we’re
looking instead at supply management and pressure reduction
measures,” he said while Maynilad supplies water to the west zone
area of the metropolis.
Metro Manila’s 15 million residents draw 97 percent of raw water
supply from the Angat Dam and Reservoir in Bulacan. Angat has an
existing capacity of 4,000 mld for domestic supply.
Sevilla assured the public that Manila Water is putting in place
several measures –including looking for alternative water sources –
that could help address a possible prolonged dry spell.
“Even if there is a prolonged dry spell, we are still looking at
making water supply available for our consumers 24/7. But we’re
looking instead at supply management and pressure reduction
measures,” he said.
