By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) - - Due to the
continuous drop in the water inflow to the system that led to reduced water
production, the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) has cut back by four hours
water rationing to households in the city.
Effective
January 27, water rationing will be sheared down to 8 hours from its present 12
hours. This drastic cut back move is due to the continuous drop of water
inflow, which is pegged at 74.04 meters. Normal water level is 74.20 meters.
ZCWD
imposed water rationing this January 6, and barely three weeks after, the water
district issued a new rationing schedule.
The
prevailing El Niño weather phenomenon is prime culprit to the desiccating water
level as the city is highly dependent on rainfall. The city has not had any
major rainfall the past few months on which the rivers and tributaries are
heavily dependent on for replenishment.
The
city gets 80 percent of its water supply from surface water via the Tumaga
River making it vulnerable to elements such as extreme hot conditions currently
experienced in the city which is expected to persist until June as per advisory
from the state weather bureau Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration(PAGASA).
ZCWD
Officer-in-charge and Operations AGM Alejo Rojas Jr. said “ the current situation makes it imperative
for Zamboanga City Water District to seek coordinative assistance from other
concerned agencies to immediately work on mitigating measures to soften the
impact of the prevailing weather condition.”
