The Department of Environment and Natural Resources sees an improving situation in the coming weeks in light of the water service interruptions experienced in some parts of Metro Manila.
The additional water supply from the National Water Resource Board, Maynilad Water, including the water treatment plant of Manila Water in Cardona, Rizal, could help improve the current situation in Metro Manila, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.
DENR has coordinated with the three water agencies to ease up parts of Metro Manila experiencing water shortage serviced by Manila Water with a total additional water supply of 180 million liters a day that will be obtained by April.
“Within next week or two, the water service will be back to normal,” Antiporda said.
He said that Manila Water’s Cardona water treatment facility is expected to yield 22 MLD by the end of March before reaching a capacity yield of 50 MLD by April.
Antiporda also said the three agencies met at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System office in Quezon City last Thursday where Maynilad committed to allocate some 20 MLD to Manila Water by the end of March and increase it to 50 MLD by April.
From the NWRB side, Antiporda said the agency projects an additional allocation of 30 MLD by April with the reactivation of deep wells. The MWSS will be responsible for operating the deep wells, Antiporda added.
He said the NWRB likewise expects another 50 MLD to be sourced from the deep wells after April, for a total of 80 MLD.
“We expect a big improvement in the situation, not go worse,” Antiporda said.
As of yesterday, the La Mesa Dam’s water level is still under critical level at 68.70 meters. It is further down from the 68.72-meter elevation last Friday.
The Department of Health yesterday advised the public to make sure that their drinking water is safe, especially to those who are affected by the water shortage.
The DoH said that drinking water from “unsafe sources” can be made safe by boiling the water for two minutes to eliminate disease-causing organisms.
Another way is by using chlorine tablets, the DoH said. “Chlorinating water for drinking is an alternative way to make it safe but it may not be effective against some disease-causing organisms, such as those that cause watery diarrhea,” the DoH said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that it is important to ensure the quality of the drinking water to avoid falling ill.
Duque also added that the public should maintain their personal hygiene, as some may be tempt to forego habits such as taking a bath and hand washing.
“In the midst of the water shortage crisis, continue observing personal hygiene to avoid common diseases such as scabies, diarrhea, and other food and waterborne diseases,” said Duque. “Let us conserve water, adapt to the limited water supply, and make sure to prioritize cleanliness and personal health at all times,” he added. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz and Analou de Vera)
