THE Davao City Water District (DCWD) said the city has enough water to withstand the anticipated impacts of El Niño, but urged customers to store water and practice smart water management as the weather phenomenon is forecast to intensify.
DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta "JC" Duhaylungsod said in an interview with SunStar Davao on September 30, 2026, that the utility draws on both groundwater and surface water in substantial volumes, placing the city in a stronger supply position compared to other local government units.
She noted that while drought most directly threatens surface water sources, groundwater acts as a reliable buffer.
"Naa tay enough groundwater reserves to cover any reduction sa supply," (We have enough groundwater reserves to cover any reduction in supply) Duhaylungsod said.
At a Sept. 9 media forum, Duhaylungsod detailed that the city's surface water sources yield about 300 million liters per day (MLD), while deep groundwater reserves can provide up to 350 MLD, collectively meeting the city's daily demand of 350 to 400 MLD. The groundwater wells, positioned 200 to 250 meters deep, remain protected from dry spells.
State weather bureau PAGASA warned on Sept. 23 that a strong El Niño is active in the Tropical Pacific and is expected to intensify into a very strong state between September and December, persisting through the first half of 2027.
While supply remains stable, Duhaylungsod cautioned against complacency.
"As of the current nato na demand and supply situation, we could say na we are in a much better position compared to other cities and municipalities," (As of the current demand and supply situation, we could say that we are in a much better position compared to other cities and municipalities) she said.
She warned, however, that the effects of El Niño "and its risk to people, animals, and the environment, dili sya ingon ana pod, kasimple lang." (are not that simple.) She added that even if DCWD is ready for now, no one knows how far the effects will intensify.
Duhaylungsod emphasized that preparing for dry spells is a "two-way process" requiring cooperation between the utility and consumers.
"Ang preparations kasi sa El Niño, it's a two-way process. We as the water service provider sa syudad, paningkamotan nato na makapadayon ta og supply sa ilang pangahanglanon, but at the same time, ginapahimangnoan pod nato ang mga customers na on their end, kung pwede, makapangandam pod sila," (Preparing for El Niño, is a two-way process. We as the city's water service provider will do our best to keep supplying their needs, but at the same time, we are reminding customers that, on their end, if possible, they should also prepare) she explained.
She urged the public to avoid water-intensive activities, noting that water is "a shared resource" and heavy use in one area may affect other parts of the service coverage.
The utility also advised consumers to keep emergency water stored in clean, covered containers.
For households and commercial establishments that can afford it, DCWD is encouraging the installation of storage or cistern tanks ranging from 500 to 1,000 liters that can be refilled during off-peak hours.
"For a household of 5 man god, tama na nang isa ka 1,000 liters na tangke for 1 day na gamit, and kung mas gamay mo sa balay, pwede na much lesser ang quantity," (For a household of five, one 1,000-liter tank is enough for one day's use, and if the household is smaller, the quantity can be much lesser) Duhaylungsod noted.
Such tanks, she said, allow customers to avoid drawing directly from the line during peak hours.
"So dako na kayo nig tabang pod sa ilaha na kung naa ma’y water service interruption, halos di na nila mabati kay naa jud silay pundo sa ilahang tangke," (That is a big help to them. If there is a water service interruption, they will barely feel it because they have a reserve in their tank) she said.
Regarding service reach, Duhaylungsod reassured that DCWD will work to ensure customer access across its entire coverage area.
"We may feel a little bit of some inconvenience kung mo-grabi gyud ang epekto sa El Niño, pero paningkamotan gyud nato na within the 24-hour timeframe, no, bisan mag-intermittent man sila, magkatubig gyud ang atoang customers," (We may feel a little bit of some inconvenience if El Niño's effects become very severe, but we will do our best that within the 24-hour timeframe, even if intermittent, our customers will get water) she said.
The utility's most direct coordination regarding El Niño contingency planning occurred in May during a meeting with the city's Watershed Management Council and the City Information Office, where water availability and emergency protocols were discussed.
Addressing public concerns over drinking water safety, Duhaylungsod reiterated that DCWD remains strictly compliant with national health standards, following an ISO-level protocol at its water quality laboratory and executing daily mandatory testing.
"We are very proud to say na ang Davao City Water District, we have been consistently certified by the Department of Health na very compliant ta in ensuring water safety sa atoang mga customers," (W are very proud to say, that the Davao City Water District has been consistently certified by the Department of Health, that we are very compliant in ensuring water safety for our customers) she stated.
"So given all these quality control measures, makaingon jud ta nga safe for consumption ang atong tubig," (So given all these quality control measures, we can truly say our water is safe for consumption) she added.
She said DCWD continues to promote drinking water straight from the tap for all customers connected to its network.
Duhaylungsod noted that DCWD is preparing public information materials to guide consumers, balancing awareness without causing alarm.
"Actually, we're also about to roll out among mga IECs pod sa atoang customers," (Actually, we're also about to roll out IECs to our customers) she said.
"Dili lang pod namo gusto na kanang ganing i-sensationalize pod sya, kay basin magpanic pod ta ba. Balansehon lang namo." (We also don't want to sensationalize it, because we might panic. We'll just balance it,) she said. GRS
