SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — SubicWater and Sewerage Co. Inc. is preparing additional water sources and reactivating backup facilities to mitigate the potential impact of a severe El Niño, with projections indicating a possible supply deficit of 10 million liters per day under extreme drought conditions.

SubicWater Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Benjamin “Bobong” Antonio III said the projected shortfall could be addressed through the company’s Morong Water Treatment Plant, which is already supplying water to parts of its service area.

Antonio said the utility’s contingency plan takes into account the lowest river levels recorded since the company began operations, along with peak water demand during the hot season.

“We have a deficit of 10 million liters per day,” Antonio said, referring to the modeled worst-case scenario.

He explained that the Morong facility could provide the additional supply needed if water levels in the rivers serving Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone decline significantly.

About 98% of the water supply for Olongapo and the Freeport comes from rivers, making river levels a critical factor in the utility’s preparations for the anticipated weather phenomenon.

To strengthen supply security, SubicWater is also reactivating reservoirs, assessing backup water sources and drilling new deep wells.

Antonio said the company is gradually testing the delivery of water from Morong to areas that may experience declining supply, particularly if the Gordon Heights and Santa Rita rivers can no longer meet demand.

He cautioned, however, that consumers could experience lower water pressure as the utility adjusts its distribution system, especially in areas farther from the Morong treatment facility.

Despite the potential challenges, Antonio said water supply conditions remain stable, with no immediate signs of a shortage in Olongapo or the Freeport.

“Right now, our water supply is still good,” he said, adding that conditions could change rapidly if temperatures rise sharply and prolonged dry weather reduces available water.

He said the company is preparing ahead of time because the projected Super El Niño could bring conditions more severe than those documented in historical records, making its actual impact difficult to predict.

Antonio added that water conservation measures may become necessary depending on the severity of the drought, although consumers do not need to resort to emergency water storage at this time.

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño expressed confidence in the Freeport’s water security, citing its preserved mountain watersheds and existing water sources.

Aliño said he had discussed preparations with SubicWater and urged locators, residents and other water users to avoid waste and practice responsible water consumption even while supplies remain adequate.

“We are so lucky that we have mountains, and we were able to preserve the mountains,” Aliño said, emphasizing the importance of the Freeport’s surrounding watersheds in sustaining its water supply.

He added that responsible water use remains essential to protecting available resources as weather conditions change.

The contingency measures are intended to help sustain water services for households, businesses and industrial locators in Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport, where a reliable water supply is essential to daily life, business operations and continued economic activity.

Antonio said SubicWater would continue implementing its preparedness measures while monitoring river levels, water demand and the performance of alternative sources as the country braces for the possible effects of Super El Niño. (Ang Pahayagan Reportorial Team)