The Davao City Water District (DCWD) said it has more than 200 million liters of water in daily reserve as it prepares for the possible impact of El Niño on the city’s water supply.
DCWD spokesperson Jovana Duhaylungsod said the utility currently has an available supply of around 650 million liters per day (MLD), while average demand ranges from 350 to 400 MLD.
She said the excess supply, which is maintained largely through groundwater production wells, serves as a reserve that can be tapped if surface water sources experience significant reductions.
At present, DCWD is maximizing about 300 MLD from surface water sources while keeping its groundwater wells available as a backup. Only enough wells will be activated to cover any shortfall in surface water supply, Duhaylungsod said.
She added that the utility has not observed any significant decline in its groundwater sources, which are located around 200 to 250 meters below ground and are less immediately affected by dry conditions.
Aside from its reserve sources, DCWD also maintains storage facilities that can help meet higher demand, particularly during peak consumption hours. Its largest facilities, the Twin Panorama Reservoirs, have a combined capacity of 42,000 cubic meters and serve much of District 2.
Duhaylungsod said the water district is also intensifying leak detection and repair efforts to reduce system losses and ensure that available water is distributed efficiently.
As part of these preparations, DCWD has commissioned satellite imaging services to examine its pipeline network and identify underground leaks that may be difficult to detect through conventional methods.
Duhaylungsod said maintaining an adequate supply is only part of the preparation, emphasizing the need to maximize distribution and minimize water losses as the city braces for possible El Niño-related challenges.
