By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — The Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) assured its consumers of sufficient supply of potable water even during the impending El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño is expected to hit the country next month, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
The Local Water Utilities Administration is monitoring the potential adverse effects of El Niño on the water district operations, MKWD general manager Edgar Isada said.
“MKWD could supply enough water for the daily needs of its consumers because its potable water comes from groundwater sources,” Isada said.
Still, Isada urged the water district’s concessionaires to conserve water and to use it responsibly, especially during El Niño.
MKWD serves 25,000 consumers in this capital town and the adjacent municipalities of New Washington, Banga, Balete and Batan.
It sources its water supply from deep wells through six pumping stations in Kalibo and Banga.
Classified as a “large water district,” MKWD also has a 1,000-cubic meter water tanker in Brgy. Estancia here, which helps ensure a 24/7 water supply.
MKWD concessionaires were already experiencing low water pressure, usually during “peak demand hours.”
The water district also encouraged the public to report leaks, excessive water billings and illegal connections.
In another development, MKWD is conducting an extensive reforestation project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Located in the hinterland barangay of Galicia in Madalag town, the project involves 150 hectares of forestland within the protected area of the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve.
It is part of the water district’s 2005 watershed reserve reforestation project. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
