DENR bans use of piped water for golf courses

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has prohibited golf courses in Metro Manila and nearby areas from using piped water from Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water amid the continued drop in the water level of Angat Dam.

- BELLA CARIASO

In an interview with select reporters including The STAR, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David said that the latest DENR bulletin, which was released last Friday, directed the operators of golf courses to ensure the use of recycled water instead of sourcing it directly from the metered pipes from the two water concessionaires.

“There is a bulletin that they cannot use pipe water in golf courses,” David added.

Based on data from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), at least 10 golf courses operate in Metro Manila.

These golf courses consume between 700 cubic meters and 1,400 cubic meters of water per month, according to the NWRB.

“As far as I know, almost all golf courses in Metro Manila do not use MWSS water for golf courses. It is too expensive so they use recycled water. Just the same, there is this bulletin,” David said.