The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) on Sunday issued a bulletin directing local officials to advise their constituents to conserve water amidst the El Niño phenomenon threat and reported decrease of water supply in Metro Manila due to the status of Angat Dam's water level.

In its Bulletin No. 002, DENR-WRMO said water conservation could prevent "massive water interruptions later this year."

The agency said all barangay officials and condominium and subdivision managers should advise their constituents to avoid consuming large amounts of water when watering lawns and washing vehicles; promote rainwater collection for non-potable use of water; and use recycled water for watering plants.

"All NCR LGUs are directed to fast track the approval of water pipe repairs of Manila Water and Maynilad," the DENR-WRMO said.

For its part, it said that it will deploy a team that will conduct spot inspections of office buildings to detect "unwarranted use of water, leaks, and faulty bathroom fixtures."

The DENR-WRMO also said that it will review the monthly water bills of all government facilities, adding that it will release a notice once it has monitored that these facilities use water excessively.

Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that weak El Niño has begun in the Tropical Pacific and it may strengthen in the next months.

On Sunday, the water level of the Angat Dam further dropped below the minimum operational level, from 210 meters to 179.23 meters, prompting the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to impose cut in water distribution in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan.