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Water rationing looms in Zamboanga City

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

March 8, 2023, 5:19 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) urged its concessionaires to brace for the implementation of water rationing in light of a reduction in water supply in its main source.

Michael Angelo Carbon, ZCWD acting general manager, bared that ZCWD’s production is decreasing since the water level is .08 meters below the normal level of 74.20 meters.

“As we speak now, the water level at the diversion weir is 74.12 meters,” Carbon said in an interview Wednesday.

The water level at the diversion weir in Barangay Pasonanca has been below normal since last month, based on the hourly advisory of ZCWD.

According to the advisory, the water level dropped to 74.18 meters on February 27 and further decreased to 74.16 meters on February 28. Starting March 3, the water level was measured at 74.14 meters and dropped to 74.12 meters since March 6.

Carbon said they will implement a water rationing scheme once the water level at the diversion weir reaches 74.1 meters.

Drying up

He explained that water production is low since the Tumaga river, the main source of ZCWD, “is drying up” in the absence of rain.

PAGASA earlier reported that Mindanao may experience a drier season later this year due to the possibility of an El Niño taking place after June or during the latter half of 2023.

Carbon said Manicahan River in Barangay Manicahan is the other best source of water aside from Tumaga.

“Manicahan river dried up even there was prolonged drought in the past years,” Carbon said.

However, he said that PHP2 billion is needed to develop the Manicahan River, including the construction of a treatment plant in the area.

Meanwhile, Mayor John Dalipe said ZCWD should look into the possibility of building an impounding dam where water can be stored during rainy days and utilized during dry season or prolonged drought. (PNA)

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