PH gov’t urges water conservation as super El Niño looms

MANILA – When water levels in Angat Dam dropped to 150 meters in July, water supply in Metro Manila was not affected, but amid the super El Niño forecast, government agencies began implementing programs and called on the public to manage water usage wisely.

During a Palace press briefing Tuesday, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna emphasized that the difference was partly in how much water people use.

Stressing the urgency to conserve water, Cuna called on every individual to do their part, noting that every drop counts.

“Hindi puwede pong business as usual; kailangan po na every individual, lahat ng mamamayan, gawin ang part natin by conserving water. Iyong mga unnecessary na paggamit po, katulad siguro ng mga car wash, pagbabasa ng ating mga driveway, at iyong mga swimming pool po – mga unnecessary iyan at this time. (It can't be business as usual; every individual, all citizens, need to do their part by conserving water. Unnecessary uses like car washes, washing our driveways, and swimming pools are unnecessary at this time),” he said.

Cuna said Angat Dam, which supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water, is at a record-low level despite not yet reaching the 157-meter mark recorded during the 2019 water crisis.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum already gave a warning of a very strong El Niño, which may be felt until the first half of 2027.

This experience could become important in the months ahead as it would bring less rainfall and increasingly dry conditions across the country.

“Ang epekto ng El Niño ay nagsimula na. Nag-emerge noong August hanggang Oktubre, at ito ay tinatayang magpapatuloy from December to February, pero iyong (The effects of El Niño have already started, emerging from August to October, and it is expected to continue from December to February, but the) overall effect of the ongoing El Niño is expected to continue until the first half of 2027,” he said.

Super El Niño refers to an exceptionally strong El Niño, marked by unusually warm sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

It can alter weather patterns worldwide and, in the Philippines, is generally associated with below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry conditions, and drought.

Wasted water today

For households, Cuna said, conservation does not necessarily require major changes, pointing to ordinary activities that consume water unnecessarily, such as letting water run while bathing or brushing teeth, washing driveways, frequent car washing, and maintaining swimming pools.

“Marami pong maaaring gawin ang ating mga mamamayan, mga simpleng bagay katulad ng habang naliligo, hindi dapat tumatakbo ang tubig, pati pagsisipilyo at mag-ipon ng tubig (There are many things our citizens can do, simple things like not letting the water run while showering, brushing their teeth, and collecting water),” he said.

He also urged households to look at water that can still be reused.

“Rainwater harvesting, ito po ay matagal na pong pinag-uusapan (we have been discussing this for a long time),” Cuna said, noting that the country receives substantial amounts of rain during storms that could otherwise go to waste.

For activities such as watering plants, he suggested using household grey water where appropriate.

Cuna said the DENR is also working with local governments to strengthen conservation efforts and help address water leaks in their areas. Cuna said losses from leaks can be reduced when residents report them and water providers act quickly.

Preparing beyond Angat

The government said that water conservation is only one part of the preparations being undertaken.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said Metro Manila has been developing additional sources to reduce its heavy dependence on Angat Dam.

MWSS spokesperson Patrick Dizon said five water treatment plants connected to Laguna Lake can already operate, while six more are expected to be ready this year.

The six plants – three in Cavite, one in Pasay, one in Antipolo and one in Laguna – are expected to provide an additional 452 million liters of water per day.

The MWSS has also prepared deep wells capable of supplying about 85 million liters per day, while additional treatment facilities for wastewater are being developed.

Moreover, Dizon said aging pipelines and aqueducts are being rehabilitated to reduce water losses before water reaches consumers.

However, he stressed that these projects do not mean that the people should be complacent.

Dizon said the MWSS is continuing to appeal to consumers to practice the “wise use of water,” particularly as the effects of El Niño are expected to persist into 2027.

“Marami po tayong puwede maitulong para makapag-prepare po tayo sa (We have many ways we can help to prepare for) El Niño,” he said.

Proper storing

For households that want to keep extra water, officials said storing it also requires care.

Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chief Jose Salonga advised against simply filling plastic drums and leaving them untouched for months.

“Gamitin ninyo iyon and then i-refill ninyo (Utilize them and then refill them) from time to time,” Salonga said, noting that water needs to be replenished and circulated to avoid creating another health problem.

Containers should also be kept covered, as stagnant water can become a breeding place for mosquitoes.

The goal, therefore, is not simply to stockpile water, but to stretch the supply already available while government agencies develop additional sources and prepare emergency measures.

For Cuna, the experience at Angat Dam in July offers a simple lesson: conservation can buy time.

“So, sa lahat ng maliliit na bagay na makatulong po kayo sa pagtitipid at sa pag-iipon din ng tubig, gawin po natin (So, in all the small things that can help you save and also conserve water, let's do it),” he said.

Meanwhile, right at this time, people are already buying water containers like drums, to store water.

People have also become aware of the looming drought that everyone is now thinking of small ways to conserve water and help mitigate the looming crisis.

Cuna noted that as the country heads into months of lower rainfall, those small savings like one closed faucet, one reused container of water, or one repaired leak could add up when every drop matters.