MCWD braces for drought, urges public to conserve water

COTABATO CITY - Officials of the Metro Cotabato Water District today urged water concessionaires to start conserving water and design mitigating measures as the the city and Mindanao brace for El Nino phenomenon.Alma Rodriguez, MCWD general manager, told DXMS Radyo Bida that the foreseen dry spell could result to 5 to 10 percent reduction inwater production from the MCWD sources of water or ever higher.To address that and cushion the impact of El Nino phenomenon seen as worse than the 1998 drought, the MCWD has designed mitigating measures, including water rationing in its franchise area.The Philippine weather bureau, in its website,has reported this year'sweather phenomenon that started early this year couldbe among the strongest since 1998.Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)hasalerted the public to prepare for the effects of a six-month dry spell that is forecast to affect 32 provinces, nine of which are in Mindanao. Water rationing is an option so all concessionaires could be served, Rodriguez said, adding that MCWD is mulling additional sources of water. The Simuay river in Sultan Kudarat is seen as additional sources.MCWD is serving Cotabato City, part of Sultan Kudarat an part of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.Rodriguez said water conservation is not the sole responsibility ofMCWD but all concessionaires, including simple water saving activities at home.She urged the public to start conserving water nowand keep rain water for dish, carand clothes washing as well as for car wash.Among the areas to beseverely affectedare North and South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu. The others are three provinces inZamboanga peninsula.The state weather bureau said the drought has been felt in August but described as weak. It is expected to level up to moderate by September and its peak in November andDecember then gradually slow down in early 2016.