Manila: The Manila Water Company Inc. on Tuesday assured 24/7 uninterrupted water supply despite low water levels at the Angat Dam and the upcoming peak of El Ni±o. The water concessionaire gave the assurance as it outlined measures to ensure an adequate water supply across its East Zone service areas in Metro Manila and Rizal.
According to Philippines News Agency, at a press conference, Manila Water chief operating officer Arnold Jether Mortera said the worst scenario would only be lower water pressure in select areas, particularly those in high towns in Antipolo. "There will be no interruptions in the east concession area. The worst could be just lower pressure in some areas," he said, adding that lower pressure may be felt only in off-peak hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Manila Water assured that it has about 40 to 60 line boosters to ensure adequate pressure in areas far from pumping stations. Unlike previous El Ni±o scenarios wherein east zones relied solely on the Angat Dam, Mortera stated that interrupted services are not anticipated due to a stable supply from alternative sources. These include the Wawa-Calawis Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the Laguna Lake-Cardona WTP, and the Laguna Lake-East Bay TP Phase 1.
"Probably a little bit of reduction of allocation from Angat, but we have supplementary sources and activation of two water treatment plants in the last quarter of this year," Mortera added. Besides the existing WTPs, Manila Water is also set to complete two more treatment facilities within the year to further diversify its water sources. Among these are the second phase of the East Bay TP, which will be completed in September, as well as the Kaysakat TP in October.
Manila Water Communications Affairs Group director Jeric Sevilla urged consumers and businesses to sustain wise water consumption, as regular water interruptions will still be in place. "We do have interruptions only because mayroon tayong (we have) maintenance activity," he said, citing that these are preventive activities during off-peak hours. Sevilla reiterated that water interruptions will not, in any way, be related to declining levels in water supply.
To date, the water level at the Angat Dam dipped below the critical level of 160 meters and is already 22.36 meters below the 180-meter minimum operating level. As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the water level at the Angat Dam further dipped to 157.64 meters, which is slightly lower than 158.23 meters on Monday, according to PAG-ASA. Manila Water currently provides services in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, parts of Quezon City, and towns in the province of Rizal.
