Davao City has made significant strides in improving access to clean and safe water, thanks to the full operation of its surface water sources which bolstered the Davao City Water District’s (DCWD) supply and service connections in 2024.
The city recorded a remarkable 111.20 percent increase in new service connections — jumping from 10,342 in 2023 to 21,851 in 2024. By the end of the year, total service connections reached 263,506, a clear indication of the city’s commitment to meeting the needs of its growing population and expanding communities.
DCWD Spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, in an interview with Madayaw, shared that Davao City is currently enjoying an abundant and reliable water supply. She reported that DCWD’s production capacity now stands at 710,000 cubic meters or 710 million liters of water per day, with only 55 percent of that being utilized on average.
“This means we still have a 45 percent surplus that can be used in case of downtimes in our sources,” Duhaylungsod said, adding that the supply is split almost evenly between groundwater (368 million liters) and surface water sources (342 million liters).
As Davao City continues to grow, DCWD is also aligning its expansion plans with the city’s long-term development roadmap. Duhaylungsod emphasized that the water utility is preparing for the next two decades by targeting areas earmarked for residential, commercial, and industrial development.
Beyond increasing supply, DCWD has placed great emphasis on ensuring that the water reaching Dabawenyos is safe for drinking. Duhaylungsod assured the public that the agency follows stringent quality control measures.
“We strictly adhere to the water safety plan. Daily monitoring is done at strategic locations within our distribution network, right up to the taps of our customers,” she said.
DCWD also boasts a state-of-the-art, ISO-certified water quality laboratory, ensuring that its testing and protocols meet international standards. Duhaylungsod further reassured residents that the water distributed by DCWD complies with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, the benchmark that guides their monitoring and testing practices.
Having a reliable and safe potable water supply is vital not just for health and sanitation, but also for sustaining economic growth and improving the quality of life. As Davao City pushes forward with its development, ensuring access to clean drinking water will continue to play a key role in building resilient and thriving communities.