- DCWD assures steady water supply for El Niño peak
THE DAVAO City Water District (DCWD) assured consumers that it has sufficient water reserves to withstand the impending effects of El Niño, which state meteorologists forecast will intensify through the first quarter of 2027.
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 14, DCWD spokesperson Joanna Cresta Duhaylungsod emphasized that the utility firm has been proactively monitoring water sources and fine-tuning operational strategies since the beginning of the year.
“In terms of preparations, we have been monitoring even at the start of the year… We have already implemented preparation measures and started messaging our customers to anticipate the eventuality,” Duhaylungsod said, noting recent PAGASA climate outlooks confirming that El Niño will worsen in late 2026 and extend into 2027.
Duhaylungsod explained that Davao City’s primary shield against climate-induced drought is its “conjunctive use” strategy—combining surface water from Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. with deep-well groundwater sources.
Currently, DCWD caters to around 280,000 active service connections with an average daily demand of 381,000 cubic meters.
With total available capacity reaching approximately 688,000 m3 per day—comprising
388,000 m3 from 74 deep groundwater production wells and a minimum 300,000 m3 bulk supply from surface water, DCWD holds a daily surplus buffer of around 307,000 m3 .
“What we prioritize in distribution right now is the surface water supply, while reserving our groundwater sources,” Duhaylungsod said. “If there is any reduction in our surface water source, it is covered by our groundwater supply.”
She noted that groundwater wells, located roughly 250 meters below ground level, remain largely unaffected by surface heat and drought conditions.
While river flow at the Tamugan River saw a drop during earlier dry spells—reaching a low of
233,000 m3 in April—the shortfall was smoothly offset by deep wells without causing system-wide pressure drops or service interruptions.
Should surface water production hit critical levels—defined as a 50% drop (150,000m3 reduction)—DCWD will roll out emergency operational measures.
These include:
- Promoting Essential Water Conservation: Advising households to limit usage to essential needs.
- Intensifying Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction: Accelerating pipe repairs and anti-leak drives to prevent water loss across the distribution grid.
- Installing Inline Booster Pumps: Deploying auxiliary pumps across 24 identified “hydraulically challenged” and elevated areas.
The 24 identified vulnerable areas include elevated or rolling terrain such as Langub, Catalunan Grande, Mamay in Belisario, Doña Salud, the Old Airport area, and Vista Verde. Flatland areas with historically narrow mainlines, such as portions of Barangay Agdao, are also included.
“We are already coordinating with the barangays because we need their permission and a certificate of no objection to install these inline boosters,” Duhaylungsod said, adding that power connections will be coordinated with Davao Light and Power Company.
DCWD aims to complete the installation of all 24 inline booster pumps by December 2026 to ensure full operational readiness before El Niño peaks early next year.