Despite the still below-normal supply allocation, Manila Water has been able to restore 24-hour water availability to 100% of its customers in Metro Manila’s East Zone, with at least 7 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure, reaching only up to the ground floor.

Starting from a 150-million liter per day (MLD) of deficit last March to almost 350 MLD in late June when the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reduced its allocation for domestic use in Metro Manila from Angat Dam, Manila Water has successfully narrowed the supply gap with increased production in its Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal, the rehabilitation of existing deepwells and construction of new wells across the East Zone, and the efficient reduction of its system loss or Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

The Cardona WTP has already been completed to its 100 MLD capacity but is currently producing around 80 MLD consistent  with the current demand of  Rizal towns which include Cardona, Binangonan, Angono, Taytay and parts of Cainta. Total yield from all operational deep wells has reached more than 40 MLD.

Moreover, from an average of 12% NRW from late last year to early this year, system loss has been reduced to about 10% due in part to pressure reduction.

“We are now at 17 days running of 24-hour water availability to 100% of our customers. But while we have increased our efficiencies, and the technical solutions we have put in place are ensuring we are able to distribute the still-limited supply as equitably as we can, we cannot rest and let our guard down. The water supply situation remains volatile as Angat Dam continues to struggle to reach the ideal 210 to 212-meter level by end of 2019. We encourage our customers to continue using water wisely and responsibly, to help ensure ample supply moving forward to the peak demand months of 2020,” states Manila Water Chief Operating Officer Abelardo P. Basilio.

NWRB maintains allocation for the concessionaires of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) at 40 cubic meters per second (CMS) from the normal volume of 46 CMS.