NW RB to cut Metro's water allocation

Amid the continued drop in the elevation of Angat Dam, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will implement reduction in the water allocation for Metro Manila starting April, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday.

- BELLA CARIASO

Environment Undersecretary Carlos David confirmed that the NWRB, which is an attached agency of the DENR, would reduce the allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water to 48 cubic meters per second from the current 50 CMS.

"In April, we may return to our regular allocation of 48 CMS. Unless rains will come, the 50 CMS this month could be retained," David, who also heads the DENR's Water Management Office, said.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water elevation in Angat Dam was at 202.28 meters or 0.19 meters less compared to its previous level of 202.47 meters. It was 9.72 meters below the normal high water level of 212 meters.