Even in light of continued challenges in water supply availability and distribution, Manila Water has been able to bring down its supply deficit to 43 million liters per day (MLD) coming from 150 MLD in March this year. This despite the steady increase in demand owing to the warmer and more humid climate of late.

Manila Water group head for Corporate Strategic Affairs, Jeric T. Sevilla shared that this was made possible because of the good yield from the interim supply augmentation sources the company is working on. “Our Cardona Water Treatment Plant is now able to distribute more than 50 MLD to several towns in Rizal. This deloads our central distribution system which is supplied by the Balara Treatment Plants and we are able to more equitably distribute water within the East Zone of Metro Manila,” says Sevilla.

The water supply deficit in Metro Manila’s East Zone has been at an average of 150 MLD which further increases during the summer months. This was immensely felt by Manila Water customers in March when massive service interruptions were experienced following operational adjustments implemented by Manila Water to protect the level of La Mesa Dam, which has already hit its critical level of 69 meters on March 6, 2019. As of May 17, water supply for the East Zone remains challenged with La Mesa Dam still at a level of 68.48 meters, about ten meters lower than its normal level of 78-79 meters, while Metro Manila’s main water source, Angat Dam, is at a level of 173.48, way below the minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Aside from the 50 MLD from Cardona WTP, additional supply comes from rehabilitated deep wells which produce about 35.13 MLD and cross border flows at 15.74 MLD. “Securing the yield from these sources would help achieve the service recovery target of 24/7 water service to all customers of Manila Water, at 7 psi or pressure reaching up to the ground floor, compliant with the regulatory standards as well as the service obligations set in our Concession Agreement,” Sevilla further adds.