Water elevation at Angat Dam is approaching the critically important 180 meters and likely hit as early as the approaching weekend, the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Thursday.
The agency quickly urged the various government agencies and the private sector to help in conserving water as much as anyone can in the months ahead when the disruptive impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon is most acutely experienced.
Water from the Angat Dam allocated for use by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is lowered to 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) on the basis of a well-established protocol, according to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
“The board decided to modify the allocation as water level at Angat Dam falls below the minimum operating level of 180 meters,” it said.
This means water at only 48 CMS for the MWSS and only 20 CMS for the NIA until the end of July and reviewed thereafter based on the developments at the dam, Sevillo David Jr., NWRB executive director, told reporters in a text message.
At its current rate of depletion, the Angat Dam is expected to hit the 180-meter minimum operating level at the week’s end.
Data from the National Power Corp. show Angat Dam water elevation of 180.86 meters as of 8 a.m. Thursday.
Water allocated for MWSS is sent to Metro Manila water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water while the NIA’s allocation is used for irrigation services in Bulacan and Pampanga.
The DENR again reminded government building administrators of Memorandum Circular 22 mandating state agencies to implement water conservation measures and vowed to closely monitor compliance via a vigilant analysis of their monthly water bills.
It said all government offices must have separate water meters, look out for leaks and find faulty water fixtures by checking meters during after-office hours.
The DENR said government building administrators must check for leaks by vigilant observation and must also shut down the main valve after the last personnel has left the building.
The agency also said the number of people in each office or each employee must not consume more than 50 liters of water per day and avoid using potable water for street cleaning and plant watering activities.
