By Lily Gut IMUS CITY, Cavite - The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) recently issued a warning about potential water ...
IMUS CITY, Cavite - The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) recently issued a warning about potential water outages that Metro Manila and Cavite may face as a result of Laguna Lake's ongoing decline in water quality.
The MWSS said that the lake is now at its lowest level since it was built in the 1950s. It has a depth of only 1 meter, which is not enough for swimming. The lake's water quality is also very poor, with high levels of nitrates and phosphates.
Aside from the threat of blue-green algae, pollution from informal settlers along the coast and the lake's high turbidity can damage water filtration systems, according to Engineer Patrick Dizon, MWSS's division manager of site operations management.
Dizon said this could result in water service being disrupted in the province of Cavite as well as in the cities of Muntinlupa and Paraaque.
Dizon also emphasized the importance of proper waste management and the implementation of stricter regulations to prevent further degradation of the lake's water quality.
"Failure to address these issues could have severe consequences not just for the affected areas, but for the entire region's water supply," he said.
He also added that the lack of proper waste management in the surrounding areas contributes to the degradation of the lake's water quality. To address these issues, concerted efforts from various stakeholders are necessary to ensure the preservation and rehabilitation of the lake's ecosystem.
The water treatment that MWSS has in Laguna Lake uses membrane filtration and osmosis, and according to MWSS, it is clogging due to algae blooms and high levels of organic matter.
This highlights the need for regular monitoring and management of the lake's water quality to prevent further deterioration and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Additionally, public education and awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in promoting responsible use and conservation of the lake's resources.
MWSS concessionaires also plan to build two more water treatment facilities in Laguna Lake on the coast of Rizal.
This is despite the threat of the Laguna Lake Development Authority regarding the continuous growth of blue-green algae or others that damage the water filtration systems and cause the death of fish in the water basin that supplies 80% of fish species such as tilapia and bangus in Metro Manila.
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