Angat Dam Hits Record Low Water Level, Raising Supply Concerns

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — The water elevation of Angat Dam, a primary source for Metro Manila, reached its lowest recorded level of 150.55 meters yesterday, prompting the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to advise water suppliers in Bulacan of supply adjustments. Records from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) showed that Bustos Dam, located downstream from Angat, began releasing water to its river system at 10 a.m. yesterday after its water level reached 15.9 meters, an elevation just 10 centimeters below the spilling level. This marks the first discharge of water since the coffer dam was completed early this year, with Sluice Gate 1 being raised by 0.20 meters to discharge six cubic meters per second (CMS) of water. Celso Cruz, chair of the Guiguinto Water District, confirmed that these developments led the MWSS to advise officials of the Bulacan Association of Water Districts (BAWD) of adjustments to their water interconnection points. According to Cruz, these adjustments are scheduled to be implemented on Tuesday at 12 a.m. due to the continuing decline in Angat Dam's water elevation. The water allocation to BAWD is expected to be reduced accordingly. The advisory noted that immediate adjustments might be necessary if water quality deteriorates or if further reductions in water allocation are required to maintain a stable supply. If Angat Dam's water elevation drops to 150 meters, the allocation could be reduced to only 145 million liters per day, potentially leading to proportionate releases among water districts. Currently, MWSS allocates 260 million liters per day to BAWD. The MWSS is encouraging all stakeholders to remain prepared for potential operational changes. Source: Philstar Nation