Manila Water readies 33 reservoirs for prolonged El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water has inspected and prepared its 33 reservoirs across the East Zone as part of ongoing measures to help maintain reliable water service amid the very strong El Niño, which is expected to bring prolonged dry conditions through the first half of 2027.

With a combined storage capacity of 557 million liters, the reservoirs form an important part of Manila Water’s distribution network. These facilities help balance water supply and demand across different areas by storing treated water and supporting its efficient movement through the system.

Regular inspection and preparation of reservoirs are part of Manila Water’s routine operations. These activities become even more important during extended dry periods, when water resources may face increased pressure because of reduced rainfall and higher customer demand.

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READ: Manila Water maximizes 6 water treatment plants for El Niño

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Preparation measures include checking reservoir conditions, monitoring water levels, inspecting equipment, and ensuring that the facilities are ready to support water distribution requirements during the dry months.

Among these facilities are the 111-million-liter N. Domingo Reservoir and the 25-million-liter Balara Reservoir, both in Quezon City, as well as the 20-million-liter Maguey Reservoir in Antipolo City. Together with Manila Water’s other reservoirs, these facilities help store and distribute treated water across the East Zone based on local supply requirements.

The reservoirs also support Manila Water’s diversified raw water portfolio by receiving and distributing treated water from sources beyond the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa system. These include the 100-million-liter-per-day (MLD) Cardona Water Treatment Plant and the 50-MLD East Bay Phase 1 Water Treatment Plant, which draw raw water from Laguna Lake, as well as the 80-MLD Calawis Water Treatment Plant under the Wawa-Calawis Water System. The upcoming 200-MLD East Bay Phase 2 and 220-MLD Kaysakat water treatment plants will further augment supply and improve operational flexibility across the East Zone.

The company is also sustaining its efforts to reduce water losses across the network. Manila Water has successfully maintained its non-revenue water, or NRW, below 15 percent through active leak detection, timely repairs, and continuous network monitoring.

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Keeping NRW below 15 percent ensures that more treated water reaches customers instead of being lost through leaks and other system inefficiencies. This becomes especially critical during El Niño, when every liter of available water must be managed responsibly.

READ: Manila Water shares practical ways to get ready for El Niño

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“Our reservoirs, additional water sources, and continuing efforts to reduce system losses all work together to help us manage available supply more efficiently. As we prepare our network for prolonged dry conditions, we also encourage our customers to be #Waterwais by using water responsibly every time they open the tap,” said Dittie Galang, Manila Water Communications Affairs Department Head.

Alongside the preparation of its reservoirs, Manila Water continues to coordinate with government agencies, monitor its water sources, optimize the distribution network, and maintain its water treatment and pumping facilities.

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Customers are encouraged to repair leaks within their properties, reuse water whenever possible, and immediately report leaks along streets and public areas to its Hotline 1627. Through shared responsibility, Manila Water and its customers can help safeguard available water supplies throughout the prolonged dry period.