The Virac Water District is appealing to its concessionaires to conserve water due to the dry spell that is expected to persist until next month due to the prevailing El Niño phenomenon.
In a forum held at Rakdell Inn last March 20, 2024, VIWAD officials headed by General Manager Gabriel Tejerero joined chief meteorologist Juan Pantino Jr. of the Philippine Atmosheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in impressing upon barangay captains the need to mitigate the effects of the weather phenomenon this summer.
In her presentation, VIWAD General Services Division Manager Elaine Ang shared “Tipid Tubig Tips” such as: ensuring all faucets are closed when not in use; shutting the faucet off while applying soap on dishes or on one’s hands; using a glass while shaving or brushing one’s teeth; using a dipper and pail in lieu of the shower when taking a bath; reusing laundry water for flushing the water closet, cleaning the bathroom or watering plants; and using a basin in washing vegetables and reusing the water for plants.
She likewise urged the village chiefs to convince residents to schedule laundry times, use rags and pails in washing vehicles instead of a hose, prevent kids from wasting water, avoid using water hose in cleaning sidewalks and roads, water plants only during the early morning or late afternoon, and ensure the faucets are closed during water interruptions.
Store water only adequate for use and ensure the containers are sealed to ensure cleanliness, Ang added, as she urged concessionaires to regularly monitor house water lines and faucets for leaks and have them repaired.
Leaking transmission pipes and illegal connections should be reported to VIWAD through the hotline numbers or its Facebook account.
PAGASA’s Pantino reported that while the mature El Niño shows signs of weakening, majority of global climate models suggest that it will likely persist until the March-April-May season with a transition forecast this April-May-June 2024.
Above normal temperatures are predicted over almost all land areas between March and May, he stated, citing the high 47.2˚C heat index recorded in Virac last week.
Based on the latest advisory, he said there is increasing probability of La Niña by June-July-August period.
Catanduanes is under dry spell condition this March, starting three months of below normal rainfall conditions that will end by June.
There will be increased heat-related illnesses and increased vulnerability of those with chronic conditions, Pantino reported, along with the high heat’s damaging effects on the environment, agriculture, water resources and fisheries.
PAGASA forecasts at least six to nine tropical cyclones are expected during the March to August 2024 period, he added.
On the other hand, VIWAD Engr. Mark Anthony Torres disclosed that from the three existing water sources at Cawayan, Padurog and Sibanjan, along with four deep wells, water production has increased from just over 1.2 million cubic meters in 2019 to 1.8 million cubic meters last year.
However, due to increasing urbanization in the capital town, demand for potable water has also climbed from 3.2 million cubic meters to 4.7 million cubic meters in 2023.
Among the challenges VIWAD has cited in its mandate to provide water to the population are the continuing degradation of watersheds due to human activities such as illegal logging and squatting, illegal water connections, pipeline vandalism, and pipe leaks, among others.
To address the gap, VIWAD is proposing the development of two new surface water sources in Dugui Too and Inagasan, along with new ground water sources in Lanao, Sogod Tibgao, Moonwalk, Community Hub and Imperial Homes.