Concessionaires’ appeal for more water junked

THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Friday junked a petition of water concessionaires for an additional two cubic meters per second of water, with the threat of lesser to no rains from El Niño looming.

NWRB chief Dr. Sevillano David Jr. said in a news briefing that the board gave serious considerations to the situation of the public needing water supply and the available resources as the threat of the dams drying up or going way below their critical level could be expected to happen under El Niño.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, David also said they are implementing a lesser allocation to Maynilad and Manila Water by April 1, when they will reduce the 50 cubic meters per second at present to 48 cubic meters per second.

But because of the appeal and the threat of the El Niño phenomenon, they had to forgo the reduction, at least until April 15, when they will again review the status of the dams and check how fast the drop occurs there.

David said they understand it is difficult for the public as Mayniald announced possible water interruptions lasting up to 14 hours at most.

“The board will continue its review of this allocation of course in the light of the threat from El Niño, which Pagasa [expects in] the last half of this year,” he added.

David said they will adopt measures to prevent water wastage to include stopping leakages.

Maynilad said the water interruptions will continue, but changes in their duration will be adjusted as well.