(Eagle News) — Starting Thursday night, October 24, both the Manila Water Company and the Maynilad Water Services Inc., will once again implement rotational water service interruptions because of decreasing water levels at the Angat and Ipo dams.
Maynilad noted the “scant rainfall” at the Angat and Ipo watersheds over the past few days.
It said that this has resulted in a’the continuous decline of raw water levels in the Angat and Ipo Dams.”
“And since raw water allocation from Angat Dam for Metro Manila and adjacent provinces is still at the reduced level of 40 cubic meters per second (cms)—versus the normal allocation of 48 cms—the volume of raw water entering our treatment facilities is short by around 250 million liters per day (MLD),” Maynilad said in a statement.
Manila Water said that the water interruptions in their covered areas in the east zone of Metro Manila that covers over six million people would only happen during night time.
“Tulad ng aming palagiang babala mula pa noong nakaraang linggo, dahil sa patuloy na pagbaba ng lebel ng Angat Dam, ipatutupad na ng Manila Water ang rotational water service interruption simula sa gabi ng Oktubre 24, 2019. Gaya ng nabanggit sa mga naunang abiso, sa gabi lamang mawawalan ng tubig.
Ito ay aming isasagawa,” an advisory from the Manila Water Company said.
The company said that it had already coordinated its decision with the Manila Water Service and Sewerage System (MWSS) Corporate Office, the MWSS Regulatory Office and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Manila Water said that if the water in Angat Dam would not reach the needed 212 meters in water level by year-end, there could be problems in the water supply for Metro Manila next year, so the need to implement rotational water service interruptions at this time.
Maynilad also echoed Manila Water’s statement.
“The re-implementation of rotational water service interruption is also part of the supply management efforts in preparation for the summer next year in case we are not able to reach the 212 meters level for Angat Dam,” its statement said.
Maynilad, unlike Manila Water, will implement its water interruptions mostly in the daytime.
As of Thursday morning, 6 a.m., Oct. 24, the water level in Angat Dam continued to dip, and stood at 185.87 meters.
“We are encouraging our customers to use water responsibly to help us better manage the limited water supply,” Maynilad said.
It said it was also “implementing mitigating measures to minimize the impact of the limited supply to our customers.”
This includes supply and pressure management, activation of deep wells, and installation of mobile treatment plants and water treatment and storage facilities, Maynilad said.
Manila Water also encouraged water consumers to conserve water and to use water responsibly. It also advised consumers to store water good for only the hours when there is water interruption.
“Kami po ay muling nananawagan at naghihikayat sa aming mga customer na mas maging responsable sa paggamit ng tubig sa loob at maging sa labas man ng ating mga tahanan. Mag-ipon o mag-imbak lamang nang sapat na tubig para matugunan ang inyong pangangailangan sa mga oras ng interruption.
Kami po ay umaasa sa inyong patuloy na kooperasyon,” it said.
