Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — The levels in some dams supplying water to the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby areas have improved due to the rains during the weekend.
Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed that the water level in Angat Dam was back at its minimum operating level of 180 meters as of 6 a.m. on Monday, which was an increase from 179.06 m as of July 16.
Angat Dam supplies water to NCR, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan.
In the past weeks, the water level in Angat Dam had been decreasing amid the El Niño phenomenon, prompting West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. to implement service interruptions starting July 12 that affected 600,000 customers.
The service interruptions were suspended on July 13 as the water level in Ipo Dam improved due to the rains, Maynilad spokesperson Jennifer Rufo told CNN Philippines.
She added that as long as there are rains over the Ipo Watershed, water will remain at a high level which will augment the 48 cubic meters per second supply from Angat Dam.
Water level in Ipo Dam, which is downriver from Angat Dam, was at 100.82 meters as of Monday morning, up from Sunday’s 100.02 meters, according to PAGASA.
If the rains stop in the area, the supply from Ipo Dam will be enough for two days, Rufo said.
She explained that service interruptions are still likely to happen, but she assured Maynilad customers that an advisory will be released at least two-days prior the implementation.
Other augmentation measures are also being rolled out, like reactivation of deep wells, establishment of new modular treatment plants, constant replacement of pipelines and removing of illegal connections, she added.
