Water supply in Metro Manila is seen sufficient to meet demand no matter the projected impact of El Niño in the first six months next year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Nevertheless, the agency urges consumers to observe proper water consumption, warning there could be problems should the weather disturbances persist beyond June 2024.
“Conservation will be important in the first and second quarters of 2024,” Carlos Primo David, DENR undersecretary told reporters in a briefing in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.
According to him, Metro Manila has ample supply from Angat which accounts for 90 percent of potable water. David said Angat is fairly full but that conservation measures should be taken so that the reservoir is at its maximum volume as the year transits to 2024.
The goal is to avoid a repeat of water supply issues experienced in 2019.
“We want to prevent that. We’re already in the 21st century we should be better in forecasting, better in terms of managing resources,” David said.
Against this backdrop, Environmental Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said Maynilad and Manila Water “have really tried to step up in terms of what they can provide by way of clean and potable water.”
As of Tuesday, Angat Dam water elevation stood at 213.28 meters or 33.28 meters above the 180-meter operating level of the reservoir.
