Water service interruption in parts of Metro Manila to last until summer — concessionaire
Credit to Author: JORDEENE B. LAGARE| Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2019 08:36:26 +0000
CONSUMERS in parts of Metro Manila will experience water shortage throughout the summer as the level at La Mesa Dam continues to drop, Manila Water Co. Inc. said on Monday.
In a phone interview with The Manila Times, Manila Water Communications Planning and Tactical Development Manager Dittie Galang said the firm has to reduce water supply in its concession areas to ensure that there would be enough for all its customers even during the hours where there would be service interruptions.
Manila Water’s operational adjustments and pressure management will last until the rainy season kicks in “to slow down the depletion of [the water level at the] La Mesa Dam.”
Water from the dam, which supplies Metro Manila, reached 68.93 meters, a -0.09 decrease from Sunday and slightly below the 69-meter critical level set by Manila Water, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Angat dam, which supplies 97 percent of La Mesa dam’s reserves, also declined by 0.38 meters from Sunday to 200.59 meters, still 20 meters from the critical level.
Manila Water’s projected production demand for this year is about 1.7 billion liters a day.
Although Manila Water still gets its allocation of 1.6 billion litters from the Angat Dam, Galang warned in Filipino that this may not be enough for its consumers.
“Without any additional water source, we need to manage available source,” she said.
Maynilad Water Services Inc., however, said it was not affected by the ongoing water shortage because its supply “directly comes from the Angat Dam, which is currently at a normal level,” said Maynilad Corporate Communications Head Jennifer Rufo.
“So unless the NWRB [National Water Resources Board] reduces allocation for MWSS [Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System], Maynilad should have enough supply to sustain the needs of its customers throughout the summer months,” said Rufo, adding the firm has mitigating measures in place if the water level in Angat Dam would decrease and the NWRB would be forced to cut allocation.
The post Water service interruption in parts of Metro Manila to last until summer — concessionaire appeared first on The Manila Times Online.