THE City of San Fernando Water District (CSFWD) Thursday, January 31, assured 40,000 concessionaires of sufficient water supply in case of a possible dry spell this year due to a developing El Niño phenomenon.
PrimeWater San Fernando branch manager Jan Canlas said that they have also set programs and initiatives this year to ensure steady supply of water to their clients. He added there are at least three projects this year for additional water sources for the city.
Canlas added that the water district can adequately supply its consumers despite the challenges brought by the dry spell.
Meanwhile, CSFWD general manager Jorge Gumba said that the water district has started programs to check on their service lines for efficiency and leakage problems.
He added that they are also encouraging consumers to report leakages and illegal connections through their BOSS (Business One Stop Shop). The customer service desk aims to fast track front line services for the water district's concessionaires.
The CSFWD is also calling on its concessionaires to practice responsible use of their water supply and practice conservation especially through the months of September to December when little rain water is expected.
“While we have enough water during this El Niño season we are encouraging the responsible use of water. Water is a valuable resource that we need to conserve,” Gumba added.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said at present, there is a 65 percent chance of an El Niño in the fourth quarter of this year.
El Niño refers to above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and is associated with below normal rainfall.
Ana Liza Solis, officer-in-charge of Pagasa’s climate monitoring and prediction section, said the sea surface temperature anomalies might reach the El Niño threshold of 0.5 degrees Celsius this month.