U.S. Water News Online
MANILA, The Phillipines -- As the Angat Dam water supply situation continues to deteriorate, the state of groundwater reserves in Metro Manila has already reached critical level, Manila Rep. Rodolfo Bacani said, as he urged the residents to brace for a "precarious water supply" during summer in April and May.
Bacani, vice chairman of the special committee on Metro Manila Development in the House of Representatives, batted for the immediate reactivation of an inter-agency task force on water conservation to plan water conservation strategies that would be carried out during the dry months.
He also urged local government units in Metro Manila to create special price watch enforcement teams that will crack down on abusive water refilling stations and bottled water manufacturers who might exploit the looming water shortage problem by jacking up prices.
At the same time, Bacani asked the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to expedite the repair of the AngatUmiray transmission tunnel which boosts water supply in Angat River, Metro Manila's main source of surface water.
The Angat-Umiray water transmission tunnel has been blocked by logs, debris, and mud swept from the mountains of Aurora and Quezon during the devastating floods last December.
Bacani revealed that as the Angat Dam water level has started to plunge towards the critical level, ground water, an alternative source in waterless areas in the metropolis, has now reached the danger point.
According to the lawmaker, concern over the critical situation of groundwater in Metro Manila has prompted the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to launch a massive drive to stop the unauthorized use of wells and pumps in many areas.
"The situation of the Angat water level and groundwater reserves in the metropolis is quite worrisome and calls on every Metro Manila resident to join a conservation campaign that might last even after summer is over," he said.
In a recent congressional hearing, George Estioko, head of the NWRB monitoring and enforcement division, told lawmakers that the status of ground water in Metro Manila had already reached the critical point.
"We are now conducting a massive program to monitor the operation of illegal wells. The NWRB has also stopped issuing permits for both single and community-use water pumps," he said.
However, Bacani urged the NWRB not to shut down barangay water pumps that have been very useful in filling the need for water in dry areas.
"I hope that unless it is very necessary, the NWRB will not stop many of our urban poor settlers who draw water from pumps," he said.
Bacani said Metro Manila residents should do their share in the water conservation efforts recommended by the government.
"Local government units, on the other hand, should see to it that water refilling stations and distributors of bottled water do not take advantage of the situation," he added.
Return to the U.S. Water News' past archives page Or Return to the U.S. Water News Homepage
Editor@uswaternews.com
*Your Name:
*Your Email:
*Friend's Email:
Use a comma to separate e-mail addresses:
*Your Comments:
Hi, I thought you might like to read this article.
*Required Fields