No water interruptions for Manila Water customers despite El Niño

Water concessionaire says only some high-elevation areas may experience low water pressure overnight as new water sources boost supply.

Residents in Metro Manila’s East Zone—including most of Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Taguig, Pateros and parts of Quezon City, as well as Rizal—can expect uninterrupted water service despite the looming threat of El Niño, although customers in some high-elevation areas may experience low water pressure during off hours if supply declines.

Manila Water said the addition of the Laguna Lake water system and the Upper Wawa Dam in Rizal has strengthened its supply capacity, allowing it to maintain a 24/7 water supply across its service area.

However, some higher-elevation areas in Antipolo may experience lower water pressure between 10 PM and 4 AM when supply is low. The company said these adjustments will only be made during off hours.

“Water pressure may reach 7 psi at the lowest in these areas, but there are 40 to 60 line boosters installed to help pump water into high-elevation areas,” chief operating officer Arnold Mortera said at a press briefing on July 7.

Concerns over water supply have resurfaced as Angat Dam in Bulacan continues to fall below critical levels, recalling the frequent service interruptions experienced during the 2019 El Niño.

However, Manila Water said its supply capacity has improved since then with the addition of the Laguna Lake water system and the Upper Wawa Dam.

“The Angat watershed has a different water system. El Niño heavily affects that system because it causes less rainfall than usual,” operations group director Joemar Emboltorio said.

Mortera added that the Laguna Lake water system and the Upper Wawa Dam are used exclusively by Manila Water, providing greater supply security than Angat Dam, which is shared with West Zone concessionaire Maynilad and power generation companies.

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