The management of the Virac Water District has asked its 10,000 concessionaires to pray for rain in the midst of critical water levels at its three water sources due to lack of precipitation.
General Manager Gabriel T. Tejerero told local media that at its biggest source, Cauayan, the water level at the reservoir has gone down to just 0.80 meters from the normal level of three meters.
The past two months, March and April, have registered seven-year lows of 50.6 millimeters and 42.2 mm of rain, with a similar result more likely this month of May, based on data from PAGASA Virac Synoptic Station.
GM Tejerero said that this has resulted in sharply reduced water supply in some barangays in the district’s coverage area especially in elevated portions of the población such as San Isidro Village.
While there have been several instances of rain falling in the mountains, the volume has not been enough to considerably add to the water supply.
To serve all of its consumers, VIWAD has implemented rotational water distribution through “valving” or using the transmission valves to control the flow of potable water to each area.
Under its water valving schedule, limited water supply is provided from 4 AM to 12 noon to Calatagan Proper, Calatagan Tibang including St. John Village, Cavinitan, Bigaa including West Garden Homes and San Lorenzo Ruiz Village, and Valencia including Petersville Subdivision.
From 12 noon to 4 AM, the areas with water supply are part of Cavinitan and San Isidro Village, including Moonwalk road, Imperial Homes Subdivision, Virac Homes, Our Lady’s Village and the relocation area.
Some consumers, however, have complained that despite the valving schedule, their homes in SIV have not had water during the period.
In calling on the public to store enough water for daily needs and using the limited supply responsibly, GM Tejerero said personnel have been deployed to look for tributaries that could add to surface water going to the reservoir and to clear waterways leading to the intake tanks.
He expressed concern over reports from PAGASA and other weather agencies that the dry spell being experienced by Catanduanes would deteriorate into severe drought even before the onset of the rainy season in September.