THE Davao City Water District (DCWD) will install 24 inline booster pumps in elevated and "hydraulically challenged" areas in December, as the Tamugan River's flow has already dropped 77 times this year ahead of a worsening El Niño.
DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta "JC" Duhaylungsod said at the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, that the pumps will push water to areas most likely to suffer low pressure or no water once river supply drops further.
"Because most of these critical areas are elevated locations, and kani gyud ang posibleng mag-low water pressure to no water in case nga mokunhod gyud, no, ang atoang available water supply (Because most of these critical areas are elevated locations, and these are the ones that could have low water pressure to no water in case our available water supply really drops)," Duhaylungsod said.
The areas include Barangay Langub, which no longer gets water 24 hours a day, according to Duhaylungsod, as well as parts of Catalunan Grande, Mamay Road area, Doña Salud, the old airport area, and Vista Verde.
Agdao is also on the list even though it is flat, because its main lines remain small after property owners refused to grant right-of-way for pipe upgrades, she said.
"Sa Agdao kasi, mao na atoang gina-tawag na hydraulically challenged areas. Although flat ang terrain, ang problema nato dira is that, gagmay ang atoang mga main line (Agdao is what we call a hydraulically challenged area. Although the terrain is flat, our problem there is that our main lines are small)," Duhaylungsod said.
DCWD is coordinating with barangays for permits and certificates of no objection, which Davao Light requires before it connects the pumps to power.
"We're planning to install all 24 inline boosters by December. So hopefully by that time, ready na ang atoang mga facilities (We're planning to install all 24 inline boosters by December. So hopefully by that time, our facilities will be ready)," she said.
River flow down
The Tamugan River, which feeds the bulk water supply from Apo Agua, has recorded about 77 instances of reduced flow since January, Duhaylungsod said. The lowest came in April, when output fell to about 233,000 cubic meters, short of the committed volume of at least 300,000 cubic meters a day.
"There were around 77 incidences na nimubo ang river flow sa Tamugan. But ang pinaka-ubos, if we are not mistaken, nahitabo tong April, which was around 233,000 cubic meters lang ang ilahang na-produce (There were around 77 incidences when the river flow in Tamugan went down. But the lowest, if we are not mistaken, happened in April, when only around 233,000 cubic meters were produced)," she said.
Customers did not feel the shortfall because DCWD covered it with groundwater, she said.
DCWD has about 280,000 service connections with an average demand of 381,000 cubic meters a day. Its 74 production wells can produce up to 388,000 cubic meters a day, and Apo Agua supplies at least 300,000, for a total of about 688,000 cubic meters. This leaves a reserve of about 307,000 cubic meters a day, all from groundwater, as DCWD distributes the surface water first.
"But what we can say is that we are in a better position compared to other cities and municipalities because of the reserves that we have," Duhaylungsod said.
The situation would turn critical if surface water drops by around 150,000 cubic meters, or half of what Apo Agua can supply, she said. At that point, customers may start to feel the impact on water availability, and DCWD would advise them to limit water use to essentials.
"Pero then, if it comes to critical level, we're looking at around 150,000 cubic meters na reduction, meaning katunga na lang ang pwede mahatag ni Apo Agua (But if it comes to the critical level, we're looking at around 150,000 cubic meters of reduction, meaning Apo Agua can only give half)," she said.
DCWD is also stepping up efforts to cut water losses, as the utility cannot afford to lose water during El Niño.
Storing water
Duhaylungsod urged households that can afford it to install storage tanks connected to their plumbing, fill them at night when demand is low, and use rainwater for non-drinking needs.
She said stored water meant for drinking should be kept away from direct sunlight and used within three days.
"So, we suggest, ayaw gyud siya padugaya og store kung gamiton nimo siya pang-inom or for potable uses (So, we suggest you don't store it for more than three days if you will use it for drinking or potable uses)," she said.
Pagasa has said El Niño will worsen in the last quarter of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the City Council's Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, said during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13, that the city has funds for its El Niño response.
"Sa karon they're preparing the listing, but we have enough budget for the P200 million under the disaster fund (For now they're preparing the listing, but we have enough budget for the P200 million under the disaster fund)," Dayanghirang said. GRS