The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The good thing about La Niña is that there is more than enough water, but the public should make sure that their infrastructures are flood-resilient.
In a forum on El Niño and La Niña, Water Technical Specialist Engr. Demosthenes Reboble said La Niña has positive effects in the aftermath of El Niño, but it could have ill effects on water resources and infrastructures.
“Water utilities will benefit from excessive rain water, as ground-water supply will increase because of the recharging of aquifers,” Reboble said.
“Also, if rainwater-harvesting facilities are in place, there will huge savings on water bills,” he added.
La Niña’s negative effects on infrastructures include the possible contaminations of treated water, water-service interruptions, and loss of water-quality testing due to flooding.
La Niña can cause flooding in rivers and reservoirs, and increase the volume of solids in raw water.
The forum was facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development through its Be Secure Project.
Elizea Gozun, climate-resiliency team leader of the Usaid-Be Secure Project, said the forum, among others, aimed at making the public, especially water providers and utilities, of the impacts of La Niña on water infrastructures.