The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is working with local water districts across the Philippines to strengthen drought preparedness as El Niño risk increases pressure on water supply planning.
The agency said its approach focuses on preparation before shortages occur, including technical assistance, contingency planning, demand management and closer coordination with local utilities.
The work comes as global climate agencies continue to warn of elevated El Niño risk. The World Meteorological Organization said its latest forecasts showed a pronounced shift towards El Niño conditions for June to August 2026, with above-average temperatures forecast nearly everywhere.
For water districts, the concern is practical: prolonged dry conditions can reduce source reliability, increase demand and expose weaknesses in distribution networks.
“Preparedness is one of the best investments we in LWUA can make in water security. By helping water districts anticipate risks, strengthen their systems, and plan ahead, we protect not only water supply but also the communities that depend on it every day,” said LWUA Administrator Atty. Jose Moises “Joy” F. Salonga.
Task Force El Niño supports water district planning
LWUA said it activated Task Force El Niño after early forecasts indicated the possible onset of El Niño conditions.
The agency then directed local water districts to implement preparedness measures covering four main areas: climate-resilient water supply systems, operational preparedness and demand management, institutional preparedness through a standardised manual of operations, and strengthened monitoring, technical assistance and financial support.
“Rather than relying solely on emergency interventions during drought events, LWUA is institutionalizing measures that improve water system resilience before water shortages occur,” the agency memorandum said.
Water districts were instructed to assess source reliability, identify areas vulnerable to supply disruption, update contingency plans and prepare mitigation measures for prolonged dry conditions.
No single drought plan fits every utility
LWUA said local conditions vary significantly between water districts. Some systems depend on surface water sources that are more exposed during extended dry periods, while others face fast-growing demand from expanding populations.
Rather than applying a single national template, the agency said it is working with individual districts to provide technical guidance and operational support based on local risk profiles.
Zamboanga City Water District is one of the local utilities LWUA said it has assisted as part of this wider preparedness effort. The Zamboanga City Water District website also carries public information on water conservation and service updates.
Water losses and demand management become drought priorities
Non-revenue water is another focus of the preparedness programme. During drought periods, reducing avoidable losses can be as important as developing new supply, particularly where source capacity is already constrained.
LWUA said it is helping water districts improve system monitoring, strengthen operational efficiency and reduce losses through technical assistance and performance management.
The approach reflects a wider shift in water resilience planning, where utilities are being pushed to manage demand, reduce leakage and improve network visibility before climate stress becomes an emergency.
Recent H2O Global News coverage has also examined how heatwave demand can pressure drinking water networks and how water efficiency projects are being used to support long-term resilience.
Coordination across the water sector
Preparing for El Niño requires coordination between local water districts, local government units, national agencies and other stakeholders. LWUA said it is acting as a central coordinating institution by sharing technical guidance and operational information with local utilities.
The agency said this coordination is intended to help water districts make informed decisions before drought conditions worsen.
Longer term, LWUA said integrating risk assessment, contingency planning and climate resilience into regular utility operations can help water districts prepare not only for El Niño, but also for future climate-related water supply disruption.
FAQs
What is LWUA?
The Local Water Utilities Administration is a Philippine government-owned and controlled corporation that supports local water districts through financing, technical assistance and institutional development.
Why does El Niño matter for water districts?
El Niño can bring hotter, drier conditions to parts of Southeast Asia, increasing drought risk, reducing water source reliability and raising customer demand.
What is Task Force El Niño?
Task Force El Niño is LWUA’s coordination mechanism for helping water districts prepare for possible drought impacts through planning, monitoring, technical assistance and demand management.
Why is non-revenue water important during drought?
Non-revenue water includes losses from leaks, metering issues and unauthorised use. Reducing these losses helps utilities make limited water supplies go further during dry periods.
