Nearly 14,000 additional households in Davao City now have access to clean and reliable water, thanks to the continued rollout of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), a partnership between Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. and the Davao City Water District (DCWD).

In just two years, new service connections have grown from 8,600 in 2022 to over 21,000 today — tripling coverage and easing the daily struggles of residents in areas once plagued by inconsistent water supply.

The project sources surface water from the Panigan-Tamugan River, helping reduce pressure on the city’s groundwater reserves and securing long-term water sustainability for the growing population.

Daily interruptions to round-the-clock service

Before the project, barangays such as Cabantian and Panacan experienced frequent water interruptions. In 2022, only 90 percent of Cabantian households had 24/7 access, while Panacan stood at 67 percent.

Today, 95 percent of DCWD customers enjoy continuous service, with customer satisfaction peaking at 99.6 percent across the city — and even higher in previously underserved areas, reaching 99.9 percent.

In Barangay Indangan, carinderia owner Evelyn del Campo recalled how her household used to deal with unpredictable outages.

“Mamroblema gyud mi sauna kay tig two days jud mawala ang tubig, maong magkuha na lang mi ug panghakot, usahay pinakalit ra mawala ang tubig maong maguol gyud mi,” she shared. “Karon wala na kaayo mi kadungog ug water interruption, kusog na pud ang pressure.”

(We really had problems before because the water would be gone for two days at a time, so we had to fetch water ourselves. Sometimes, it would suddenly stop without warning, which really stressed us out. Now, we hardly experience any water interruptions, and the pressure is strong again.)

Looking ahead

"The DCBWSP is more than an infrastructure project, it is a model for sustainable, inclusive progress," Apo Agua said in a statement. "This improved water access is more than just a technical win. It demonstrates what’s possible when local government, service providers, and communities come together with a shared vision: that every household deserves access to water and opportunity."

As the system expands, attention is turning to the health of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. Apo Agua and DCWD emphasize that long-term access to water depends on protecting this ecosystem through conservation, reforestation, and local engagement.

“We call on every Dabawenyo to help protect the source that sustains us all. Ampingan nato ang Panigan-Tamugan,” the partnership urged.

With more homes now enjoying safe and stable water access, the challenge shifts to preserving the natural source that makes it all possible.