Angat Dam to keep current water allocation to Metro Manila

July 3, 2019

The Angat Dam Reservoir Operations' technical working group announced on Wednesday it will maintain limited water allocation to Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) despite recent elevation in dam's  level. 

The group, which is composed of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), MWSS, and concessionaires, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Power Corp. (NPC), and Angat Hydropower Corp. (AHC) retained the 36 cubic meters per second allocation for domestic water supply in Metro Manila for July. 

"This is because the current level is still relatively low and far from the minimum operating water level of 180 meters. Weakening of the southwest monsoon this week until July 16 that will bring less rainfall as reported by Pagasa is also being considered," the group said in a joint statement. 

They added that given the current level of 161.08 meters in the watershed, it can be considered that the dam is "steadily recovering".

But maintaining the water allocation is still needed to manage and secure the water deposit required for both domestic an irrigation uses for the next months, it added. 

"Should the elevation continue to rise in a comfortable level, the allocation will be adjusted accordingly," they said. 

"It is the priority of the technical working group to sustainably manage the water in Angat Dam to ensure that the year-end elevation is sufficient to supply the multi-requirements on domestic supply, irrigation and energy at least until the first half of 2020," the group added.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS