MCWD lowers production to save for El Niño

CEBU, Philippines – The Metropolitan Cebu Water District noted a decrease in water use during the weekend, probably due to a decrease in demand as people left the Metro for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara said that from an average production of 220,000 cubic meters per day last October 29, the production lowered to 217,000 and even further down to 210,000 cubic meters per day.

"This is to save some water as part of our preparations for the El Niño phenomenon," Kara said.

Kara said that as early as Monday, MCWD lowered its volume to 206,000 cubic meters when it noted a decrease in the demand at the start of the semestral break for schools.

The production was lowered from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., which are off peak hours, Kara said.

Meanwhile, Kara explained that the disruption in supply along F. Llamas Street and Salinas Drive in Cebu City last weekend was due to two main lines bursting.

Kara said they had to stop the supply sources to give way to the repair, which was completed Monday night.

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience it caused our consumers," she said.

Kara urged the public anew to conserve water in preparation for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.

As of November 2, the Jaclupan Dam had a water level 28,708 cubic meters while the Buhisan Dam had 4,480 cubic meters. These are the average water levels in both dams. –/JMO (FREEMAN)