Angat Dam water level now below critical — manager

Water levels at Angat Dam, which supplies most of Metro Manila's water needs, have fallen to below-critical level, prompting its management to make a new appeal to residents to conserve water. Angat Dam manager Engineer Rodolfo German said they are hoping for more rains to fall on the dam so the water level can get back to normal. "Nasa baba na tayo ng 160 meters above sea level kung saan yan ang minimum operating level natin. Yan ang critical, ang 160 meters (Our water level is now below the critical level of 160 meters above sea level)," German said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he maintained this will still not affect the water supply for Metro Manila, at least for now. Angat Dam had suspended operations July 7 to 9 to protect its equipment, particularly its turbine blades, and to give the machinery a needed break. German also said Wednesday's heavy rains that fell on parts of Metro Manila and Luzon helped increase the water level at the dam. "Sana mas mahaba pa para mababalik ang level sa normal na kalagayan (We hope there will be more rains so water levels can return to normal soon)," he said. He also said that even if there are no rains, the present water levels at Angat Dam will be enough to meet Metro Manila's water needs for one-and-a-half months. "Hindi gaano naapektuhan dahil ang requirement nila made-deliver pa natin sa pamamagitan ng isa pang outlet (It will not affect Metro Manila's water needs and we still have an outlet where the water can be delivered)," he said. Meanwhile, German appealed anew to consumers in Metro Manila to conserve water even after water levels are back to normal. "We ask consumers in Metro Manila to conserve water even after water levels go back to normal. Use water for several purposes like for washing clothes and watering plants," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV