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MANILA - Manila Water on Friday admitted it shut water lines in several areas that had enough supply, calling the move a "necessary evil."

Only 260,000 out of the 6.3 million or 4 percent of Manila Water customers were originally hit by the shortage, until the concessionaire providing water services in the eastern part of Metro Manila decided to turn off the water supply in unaffected areas.

"Nagpatay kami ng mga linya para 'yung tubig na manggagaling sa aming treatment plant sa Balara, mas alam namin kung san papupuntahin," Manila Water Communications Manager Dittie Galang told DZMM's Failon Ngayon.

(We turned off water lines so that we'll know where the water from our Balara treatment plant goes.)

"Dinirekta lang po namin 'yung tubig na nakukuha nila noong mga nakaraang araw sa mga areas na talagang kailangan para magkaroon ng tubig ang customers na nawalan noong nakaraang araw," she said.

(We directed the water that was available to areas that really needed it.)

"Alam kong hindi masaya 'yung mawalan ng tubig pero ito ay necessary evil para mapalawig pa yung serbisyo at lahat makatanggap ng tubig sa kanilang bahay," she said.

(I know it's not fun to lose water but this is a necessary evil to broaden our services and ensure that every home would have water supply.)

Manila Water earlier said the shortage was worsened by the onslaught of a mild El Niño, but later on clarified that the company has been hit by supply problems due to delays in the construction of its Cardona water treatment plant in Rizal.

• EXPLAINER: Why is there a water shortage in Metro Manila?