EXPLAINER: It's the rainy season, but why does the water shortage continue?

Summary

In March, the Philippines faced its worst water crisis, with Manila and Rizal province cities experiencing severe shortages attributed to El Nino and low water levels in the Angat Dam. Despite the rainy season, water levels continue to plummet, leading to rationing by concessionaires. The crisis highlights the government and private sector's failure to expand water infrastructure, with a ballooning population and no new water sources. Proposed solutions like the Kaliwa Dam face opposition and displacement issues. The shortage persists, with recovery expected only by late summer or early fall.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Philippines faced its worst water crisis in March, with officials unable to predict an end to the shortage until rainfall improved the situation.
• 🌧️ The water level of Ganga Dam continued to drop even during the rainy season, leading to water rationing by concessionaires.
• 📅 In March and April, the water shortage in Metro Manila was so severe that residents had to line up for water from fire trucks.
• 🌡️ The crisis occurred during the hottest months of the year, exacerbating the impact on the public.
• 💧 Manila Water attributed the shortage to mild El Nino and low water levels in the Lamas dam, but the root cause was deeper.
• 🏙️ Approximately 96% of Metro Manila's water supply comes from Angad dam, highlighting the city's reliance on a single source.
• 🔄 The water shortage persisted for months, affecting millions of patients and the daily lives of residents.
• 🏛️ The government and private sector were criticized for failing to expand water resource infrastructure, with no new water sources built to accommodate the growing population.
• 💡 The proposed Kilawit dam could potentially provide an additional 600 million liters per day, but it faces opposition from environmentalists and concerns over displacement.
• 💰 The construction of the Kilawit dam is estimated to cost 12.2 billion pesos, with 85% of the funding expected from China.
• 📉 The National Water Resources Board reduced its allocation to concessionaires, which may have contributed to the ongoing water shortage despite the rainy season.
• 🌧️ Despite the rainy season, the water levels in dams continue to drop, indicating that recovery may take months, affecting the water supply until August or September.

Q & A

What was the situation in the Philippines in March regarding the water crisis?

In March, the Philippines experienced its worst water crisis, with officials being asked about the end of the shortage. Water levels in Ganga Dam continued to drop, and water rationing was implemented.

What was the impact of the water shortage on residents in Metro Manila?

Residents in Metro Manila faced severe water shortages, with some having to line up all day to get water from fire trucks. The crisis affected millions of patients and was particularly hard on the young and elderly.

What was Manila Water's explanation for the water shortage in March and April?

Manila Water blamed the mild El Nino and the low water level in the Lamas atom for the water shortage that affected at least six Metro Manila cities and seven towns in Rizal province.

What percentage of Metro Manila's water needs are supplied by Angat dam?

Around 96 percent of Metro Manila's water needs are supplied by Angat dam.

How did the government and private sector's failure to expand water resource infrastructure contribute to the crisis?

The failure to expand water resource infrastructure, coupled with the ballooning population of Metro Manila to 12 million residents, contributed to the water shortage crisis.

What is the role of the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the water crisis?

The MWSS is considered the 'orchestra conductor' in the water crisis, as it is the government's responsibility to source water, and one of its officials admitted that it is ultimately to blame.

What is the proposed solution involving the Kaliwa dam, and what is its projected cost?

The proposed Kaliwa dam is projected to provide an additional 600 million liters per day for Metro Manila and would cost twelve point two billion pesos to build, with 85% set to be funded by China.

What are the concerns regarding the construction of the Kaliwa dam?

Environmentalists oppose the construction of the Kaliwa dam due to environmental concerns, and it is also expected to displace thousands of residents in Quezon Province.

What action did the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) take in June 2019 to address the water shortage?

In June 2019, the NWRB reduced its allocation for the concessionaires from 46 cubic meters per second to 40 cubic meters per second to lessen the effect of the limited water supply.

Why did the water levels in the dams continue to drop despite the rainy season?

The water levels in the dams continued to drop because the rainfall was not sufficient, and it may take two to three more months before the dam recovers, suggesting that the situation may persist until August or September.

What is the current situation regarding the water shortage as of the script's recording?

As of the script's recording, the water shortage persists, and the situation may not improve significantly until the dam recovers, which could be as late as August or September.