The allocation of raw water from Angat dam to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) remains normal in April at 46 cubic meters per second, mainly to address the continuing need for sanitation in households and health facilities as the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine passes the halfway point.
Sevillo David Jr., executive director of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), said in an interview that the decision to keep the MWSS allocation, instead of reducing it, was still based on the aim of ensuring there would be enough supply during the hot, summer months.
“[The board] also considered the importance of securing future requirements, in case the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) problem prevails for much longer,” David told the Inquirer.
Before the MWSS allocation was raised to 46 cms in the second week of March, the NWRB had kept this at 42 cms in January and February as Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. continued to implement rotating supply interruption at nonpeak hours.
“While water consumption decreased for business establishments because many are not operating or doing so at reduced levels [since the quarantine started], household consumption increased because people are [confined] to their homes.”
Meanwhile, the NWRB reduced the allocation for the irrigation of farms in nearby provinces, such as Bulacan, from 20 cms in March to 15 cms in April.
“The decision was made considering that farms are in the terminal phase of cropping,” David said. “Crops are in their vegetative period and harvest is nearing.”
As of Wednesday, water level at Angat was recorded at 196.25 meters above sea level, more than 16 meters over the minimum operating level of 180 masl.