Seeking to avoid massive water interruptions amid El Niño, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR’s) Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) has expanded the scope of its water conservation order to include all residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces.
The WRMO directed all barangay officials and condominium and subdivision managers in its Bulletin No. 2 to advise people to save water by reducing activities that require a big amount of water usage, such as watering the yard and automobiles. “Residents should likewise be encouraged to promote rainwater collection for non-potable use of water, and to reuse laundry and dishwashing wastewater for watering plants,” the WRMO in a statement. In addition, the WRMO ordered all local government organizations in the NCR to expedite the approval of pipe repairs for water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad. “As we prepare for even drier conditions due to El Niño, it is, more than ever, important to conserve water in order to prevent massive water interruptions later this year,” it said. Spot inspections of office buildings for unwarranted use of water, leaks, and faulty bathroom fixture will be conducted by WRMO’s team, per Bulletin No. 2. “The team will ensure that WRMO Bulletin Nos. 1 and 2 are posted in offices accordingly,” it said. As such, the WRMO said that together with the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System (MWSS), it will review the monthly water bills of all government facilities in accordance with MC (Memorandum Circular) 22. Notices on excessive use of water shall be issued, it said. The public was advised to report leaks along streets to the MWSS (8929-5691, 8922-2969, 0967-3197144, or [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])), or to the water service providers Manila Water (1627) or Maynilad (1626). Leaks within compounds and which may need major repairs may be reported to the DENR-WRMO through [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). WMRO’s Bulletin No. 2 was released as the water level in Angat Dam, which supplies potable water to NCR and nearby provinces, continues to drop amid an impending El Niño phenomenon. On July 7, the DENR’s WRMO announced that it issued the guidelines for the implementation of water conservation measures by all government offices. This was in line with Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 22 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last June 7 which orders all government departments and instrumentalities to strictly implement water conservation measures as part of efforts to prevent a water crisis amid a looming El Niño phenomenon. In WRMO‘s Bulletin No. 1, it alerted all government personnel about MC 22 and the water conservation program for public offices and reminded everyone of the "impending El Niño and potential drought conditions this year." Data showed that, as of July 8, the water level in Angat Dam was at 179.99 meters, which is below the 180-meter minimum operating level. The DENR noted that when it falls below operating levels, irrigation allocations will be decreased, and supply for the NCR and the provinces of Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan will be at the bare minimum. As a result, residents may expect decreased water pressures, particularly at night, and probable outages in select MWSS-served locations. Through MC 22, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. ordered the WRMO to monitor the progress of all agencies towards conserving water through the analysis of their monthly water bills, intending to reduce their consumption by 10 percent.