SUPER EL NIÑO | Latest Updates of Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, La Mesa Dam & More | Aerial Tour

Where does Metro Manila get its water—and how prepared is our water supply for Super El Niño? Join Nate The Adventurer on an aerial drone tour of five important parts of the region’s water supply system: Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, La Mesa Dam, Cardona Water Treatment Plant, and Upper Wawa Dam. From massive reservoirs to modern water treatment facilities, this tour explores where our water comes from, how it reaches communities, and why these facilities matter as the Philippines prepares for potentially drier conditions. According to PAGASA’s September 2026 advisory, El Niño is expected to intensify into a very strong event and may persist through the first half of 2027. El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, dry spells, and drought in some areas. The National Water Resources Board has also adjusted Angat Dam water allocations as a precaution. Officials have said Metro Manila’s water supply remains sufficient, while urging conservation and preparations for alternative sources. This aerial tour is intended to help viewers understand the infrastructure behind our water supply—not to suggest that Metro Manila is already running out of water. 🌊 1. ANGAT DAM — METRO MANILA’S PRIMARY WATER SOURCE Completed in 1967, Angat Dam in Bulacan is a major reservoir on the Angat River, which collects water from its surrounding watershed. The reservoir has a storage capacity of approximately 850 million cubic meters and supports domestic water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation. The Angat–Ipo–La Mesa system supplies around 90% of the domestic and commercial water requirements of the MWSS service area. Angat has historically supplied approximately 4,000 million liters per day (MLD) to Metro Manila through the water conveyance system, although actual delivery and allocations can change. During El Niño, reduced rainfall can affect inflows and reservoir levels. Conserving water and managing releases become especially important. 🌊 2. IPO DAM — A KEY LINK IN THE WATER SYSTEM Ipo Dam, located downstream of Angat in Bulacan, helps regulate and convey water from the Angat River system toward treatment facilities serving Metro Manila. The original dam was completed in 1938, and a replacement structure was completed in 1984. Rather than functioning as a separate major source with its own fixed daily allocation, Ipo is an essential part of the wider system that moves water from Angat toward the treatment and distribution network. Its role highlights an important point: water security depends not only on the amount stored in a reservoir, but also on the infrastructure that moves water where it is needed. 🌊 3. LA MESA DAM AND RESERVOIR — A STRATEGIC STORAGE AREA Located in Quezon City, La Mesa Dam and Reservoir forms another important part of Metro Manila’s water infrastructure. The reservoir has an operational storage capacity of approximately 38 million cubic meters and works with the wider Angat–Ipo system. La Mesa serves as a storage and balancing reservoir, helping support water treatment and distribution. It is not an independent major river source; its role is closely connected to the water conveyed from the Angat system. During prolonged dry conditions, reservoir storage and careful water management become increasingly important. 🌊 4. CARDONA WATER TREATMENT PLANT — WATER FROM LAGUNA DE BAY The Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal began operations in 2019 and was designed to produce approximately 100 MLD, with output potentially reaching around 110 MLD under suitable operating conditions. Unlike the Angat–Ipo–La Mesa system, Cardona draws raw water from Laguna de Bay. The plant treats this water so it can be supplied to communities in the eastern service area. Laguna de Bay is an important alternative water source that can help diversify supply and reduce reliance on a single system. Its contribution depends on raw-water conditions, treatment capacity, and operating requirements. 🌊 5. UPPER WAWA DAM — EXPANDING WATER-SUPPLY CAPACITY Located along the Wawa River in Rodriguez, Rizal, Upper Wawa Dam is part of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project. The project is intended to increase the amount of water available to the MWSS service area and provide another source beyond the traditional Angat system. The Upper Wawa Dam and associated treatment facilities have a planned capacity of approximately 438 MLD for Phase 2. The actual volume supplied depends on the operating status of the facilities and the performance of the complete water-supply system. Diversifying water sources is an important strategy for building resilience against drought, rising demand, and changing weather conditions. #SuperElNino #MetroManila #WaterSupply #AngatDam #IpoDam #LaMesaDam #CardonaWaterTreatmentPlant #UpperWawaDam #ElNinoPhilippines #WaterConservation #Philippines #AerialTour #DroneTour #NateTheAdventurer