Iloilo water supply dips as Maasin Dam hits red alert

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Several Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) service areas have experienced low pressure and intermittent supply interruptions in recent days, as the Maasin Dam fell to red alert and bulk water production declined amid prolonged dry weather and extreme heat.

MPIW first raised concerns on March 14, when the Maasin Dam water level dropped to 93.94 meters above sea level (MASL), below the normal operating level of 94.85 MASL and near the critical level of 94.80 MASL.

Total bulk water supply that day stood at 79.80 million liters per day (MLD), slightly below the 80 MLD normal.

The utility placed the dam under red alert, citing the prolonged absence of rain and rising temperatures that affected raw water production.

MPIW also said its bulk water suppliers were conducting plant maintenance to regulate production amid declining availability.

On the same day, the Sta. Barbara Water Treatment Plant, one of MPIW’s bulk suppliers, reported low treated water levels due to dry conditions and extreme heat, resulting in low pressure or no water supply in affected areas.

On May 15, MPIW announced a service interruption from 4:10 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. after another bulk supplier, FLOWATER, implemented an emergency shutdown caused by the closure of the Moroboro Dam.

The interruption affected parts of Leganes and the Iloilo City districts of Jaro, Mandurriao, Lapuz, La Paz, City Proper, Molo, and Arevalo.

MPIW issued an advisory at 8 a.m. the same day, saying FLOWATER had resumed normal operations and that intake conditions had stabilized enough to deliver the required raw water supply.

By 9 a.m. on May 15, the utility reported that the Maasin Dam had recovered to 94.90 MASL, slightly above normal.

Raw water production, however, remained in the recovery phase and stayed under yellow alert due to high temperatures.

Despite the improved dam level, total bulk water supply fell further to 75.33 MLD, still below normal operating capacity.

By 3 p.m. on May 16, conditions worsened again as the Maasin Dam level dropped to 94.59 MASL, placing the dam back under red alert.

MPIW attributed the decline to rising temperatures and the continued absence of rainfall.

Total bulk water supply improved slightly to 78 MLD but remained below the 80 MLD operating level.

At 4 p.m., MPIW said the Maasin Dam remained low due to extreme heat and the prolonged dry spell, while raw water production from bulk suppliers stayed under yellow alert.

The utility warned that several service areas may continue experiencing low pressure or no water supply as bulk suppliers conduct plant maintenance and regulate production.

MPIW said it continues to coordinate closely with its bulk water suppliers and urged consumers to use water responsibly amid the declining supply.

“Affected customers are advised to store enough water for the duration of the low water supply level. Once the water service resumes, let the water flow briefly until it becomes clear,” the company said.