Water supply in Baguio threatened by decreasing reservoir levels

The water level in several reservoirs of the Baguio Water District (BWD) continues to decline due to the effects of El Niño. 

“May areas na critical, identified areas [na] mga matataas, mga areas na walang available water sources… ina-advise namin ‘yung mga customer namin na affected na mag-avail na lang ng water deliveries na… hindi naman affected ‘yung iba,” Engr. Salvador Royeca, General Manager of BWD, said.

Based on the BWD’s projection, the water supply at the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin in Benguet, one of the main sources of water of the district, may only last until May 2024. 

BWD continues to monitor other water sources, including underground and spring water sources.

“Dulot din kasi [ito] ng panahon, syempre sobrang init, kapag ganun nag e-evaporate din [ang tubig] kaya may mga pagkakataon lang na umuulan,” Aniceto Polintan, a weather forecaster from PAGASA-Baguio Station, said.

The situation is exacerbated by the high demand for water since December 2023, causing further depletion of the reservoirs.

Over 4,000 households in eight barangays in the city are experiencing either water shortages or limited water supply.

Aside from the 64 deep wells, two additional water sources have also been activated to provide water to other areas.

As of this writing, efforts such as water supply exploration and commissioning of new deep wells are ongoing. —GMA Regional TV