MANILA, (PIA) – Water utility Maynilad on Monday advised its customers in six Metro Manila cities that they would experience daily water service interruption beginning July 12, 2023, due to a decrease in the water level at Angat Dam.

“Starting July 12, 2023, our customers in portions of Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, Quezon City and Valenzuela will have daily water service interruptions as the raw water allocation for MWSS has been brought down to 48 CMS (cubic meters per second) due to the elevation of Angat Dam falling below its minimum operating level of 180 meters,” Maynilad announced on social media.

Portions of these areas will experience water interruption from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day, it said.

On Monday, July 10, the PAGASA Hydromet Division recorded another drop in the water level at Angat Dam. Based on its 6 a.m. data, the water level decreased from 179.56 meters recorded on Sunday, July 9, to 179.23 meters today. The normal operating level for Angat Dam is 180 meters.

However, Maynilad said that since they are still getting rains over the Ipo watershed,the  it is likely that these daily service interruptions may not be immediately felt by July 12.

Moreover, due to water generated from various supply augmentation projects, it said, “the actual duration of these service interruptions may be shorter than projected.”

Maynilad advised affected customers to prepare by storing enough water for their needs during the hours when supply will not be available. They recommened storing water in clean, covered containers.

It also warned to expect some discoloration in the supply upon resumption of the water service. “This is a normal consequence of service interruptions, as the returning supply scours the naturally occurring mineral deposits inside the pipelines.”

“When this happens, let the water flow out briefly until it clears but use the initial flow of water for non-drinking purposes, such as for flushing toilets, to avoid wastage. In case needed, our mobile water tankers are on standby ready to deliver potable water,” it said.

“As we strive to stretch available supplies and generate more water to mitigate the impact of El Niño, we call on all water consumers to do their share in the conservation effort by using water responsibly,” it added.

It can be recalled that Maynilad is being monitored and regulated by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office. 

Meanwhile, here are some tips to conserve water and make a difference for the environment:

• Fix leaks. Leaks can waste a lot of water, so it's important to fix them as soon as possible. You can check for leaks by turning off all the water in your home and then checking the meter. If the meter is still moving, you have a leak;
• Take shorter showers. A five-minute shower uses about 64 liters of water, while a 10-minute shower uses about 113 liters. So, by taking shorter showers, you can save a lot of water;
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or shave. It's estimated that we waste about 7 liters of water every time we brush our teeth or shave. So, by turning off the water while we do these things, we can save a lot of water;
• Use a bucket when washing your car instead of a pressurized washer. Also use a bucket to water your plants instead of a hose. This will help you to avoid wasting water by over-watering your plants;
• Use a water-efficient toilet. A water-efficient toilet uses about 6 liters of water per flush, while a standard toilet uses about 13.25 liters of water per flush. So, by switching to a water-efficient toilet, you can save a lot of water;
• Water your lawn and garden efficiently. Water your lawn and garden early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is not as hot. This will help the water to soak into the ground and prevent it from evaporating. You should also water deeply, but less often. This will help your plants to develop deep roots, which will help them to conserve water;
• Wash your clothes in full loads. Washing your clothes in full loads will help you to save water and energy;
• Reuse water whenever possible. You can reuse water for things like watering plants, washing your car, or flushing the toilet;
• Collect rainwater to water your plants. This is a great way to save water, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain;
• Plant drought-resistant plants. These plants will require less water to survive, which will help you to save water in the long run. (JVD - PIA NCR)