DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Water District (DCWD) assured customers here that water supply would be unaffected by the El Niño phenomenon should it develop in the third quarter of this year. DCWD spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod said  majority of this city’s supply comes from groundwater sources that are more resilient to El Niño compared to surface water. She said that they anticipate higher water consumption from its customers during this period as the phenomenon will bring about higher than usual temperature for prolonged durations. “Thus, our priority is to ensure that all of our water production facilities are operating full blast to ensure service continuity,” she said. She added that the DCWD will closely monitor areas experiencing intermittent supply during peak hours to provide interventions as needed. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), there is 55 percent probability that El Niño will develop between July and September this year or after the dry season currently experienced in the country. The drought will likely result in 60 percent reduction in rainfall, PAGASA said. The impact of this phenomenon, characterized by fewer occurrences of rainfall and typhoons, will be felt starting the last quarter of 2023 and will last until the second semester of 2024, the agency said. The next additional water source of this city is surface water, particularly from the P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) of Apo Agua Insfrastructura in Tamugan River. Duhaylungsod said the target full operation of the project is tentatively set by June this year. Apo Agua is expected to supply around 300 million liters of treated water to DCWD.