Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The water levels of Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, and Bustos Dam, all in the province of Bulacan, continue to drop, prompting the province’s government agencies to prepare for the effects of a severe dry season.
Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Officer-In-Charge Ret. Police Col. Manuel Lukban Jr. said that at on Saturday, July 8, the water elevation of Angat Dam was 179.44 meters (the normal operating level is 212.00 meters); Ipo Dam was 98.60 meters (normal level is 100 meters); while Bustos Dam was at 17.08 meters which is below the spilling level of 17.35 meters.
(Freddie C. Velez/ MANILA BULLETIN).
At around 6 a.m. on Monday, July 10, Lukban reported that the water level of Angat Dam was at 179.33 meters, while Bustos Dam was at 16.95 meters.
The PDRRMO said that if the water level of Angat Dam continues to decline, 90 percent of the raw water requirement for Metro Manila through the facilities of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System will be affected.
Manila residents will have potable water problems while the health of children and senior citizens may be affected due to severe heat.
Angat Dam is also the source of irrigation water for Bulacan and Pampanga farmers
The water elevation problem is preventing the release of water from the Ipo Dam as the water level has reached below its normal level.
Maynilad is reportedly directly using Ipo Dam as its sub-reservoir as it usually keeps its water level at 100 meters or just one meter away from its spilling level of 101 meters.
As of press time, the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said it is now closely monitoring the water levels of the Bulacan dams as well as closely coordinating with PAGASA should the water level continue to drop.
The PDRRMO said the rainy season is expected to shore up the dam’s water elevation so it could fully provide water supply to Metro Manila and augment the power supply of the Luzon grid.
— Freddie Velez
*****
Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
