MAY 10, 2018 La Mesa Dam鈥檚 water level is reported critically low due to high demand but low supply of water. According to Manila Water, the extremely hot weather causes this predicament. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
Water concessionaire Manila Water has advised its customers in Marikina City, and San Mateo and Rodriguez in Rizal, to expect weak water pressure as the water level in La Mesa Dam continues to plummet.
鈥淢aapektuhan 鈥榶ong sampung barangay dito sa San Mateo, kabilang na 鈥榶ong Ampid I and I, Banaba, Dulong Bayan I and II, Gitnang Bayan I and II, Ginayang, Maly, Sta. Ana; isang barangay sa Rodriguez, 鈥榶ong Burgos; isa rin sa Marikina, 鈥榶ong Parang,鈥� Corporate Communications Head Jeric Sevilla said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Friday.
鈥淜apag peak hours, usually alas otso ng umaga hanggang tanghali, medyo may reduction ng pressure, hihina 鈥榶ong tubig kasi matataas na lugar na 鈥榶an, pero may tubig pa rin,鈥� Sevilla added.
Starting Saturday night, Sevilla said Manila Water would be using the East La Mesa Treatment Plant in Balara as source instead of La Mesa Dam to service the affected areas.
鈥淒ahil di na kayang tugunan 鈥榶ong pangangailangan ng tubig sa mga lugar na 鈥榶on, ang mangayayari ay ililipat natin yung supply, instead na sa La Mesa sila kumuha, dito na sila kukuha sa Balara,鈥� Sevilla said.
Sevilla said the measure aims to stop the drop in La Mesa Dam鈥檚 water level.聽 Manila Water said that on Friday, the water level dropped from more than 72 meters a week ago to 71.92 meters. The normal water level is at 78 to 79 meters, said Sevilla.
鈥溾�榊ang (level) na 鈥榶an ay medyo mas mababa sa normal operating level ng La Mesa Dam, kasi ang normal n鈥檡an ay nasa 78 to 79,鈥� Sevilla said.
READ: Manila Water: Brace for service interruptions as La Mesa Dam hits critical level
Manila Water said that the present water level at the La Mesa Dam is the lowest recorded in five years.
鈥淭alagang napaka-taas ng demand natin sa tubig.聽 Dati rati hindi natin ginagamit 鈥榶ang La Mesa (Dam) eh, imbakan lang 鈥榶an ng tubig, pero ngayon pati 鈥榶ong laman ng La Mesa ay ginagamit na natin,鈥� Sevilla added.
Sevilla also urged Manila Water customers to conserve water and help prevent service interruptions until the rainy season.
鈥淎ng tubig po ay buhay, so atin pong 鈥榳ag aksayahin.聽 Lahat po ng ating matitipid na tubig malaki po ang magagawa nito para umabot po tayo hanggang sa dumating ang tag-ulan.鈥� /muf