CANDABA --- The municipal government here eyed Candaba swamp as an abundant source of portable water for Kapampangans and people in the neighboring provinces including Metro Manila.
According to Mayor Jerry Pelayo, this was in response to the scarcity of potable water in Bulacan, Pampanga and the Northern part of Metro Manila.
During the water summit held in the City of San Fernando the other day, it was learned that the
province is expected to face crisis on potable water in the next fourteen years following reports that over-extraction of groundwater might diminish its supply to the communities.
“Yung tubig sa swamp ay pwedi nating i-convert into drinking water. Habang nagkakaroon tayo ng problema sa groundwater ay sagana naman tayo surface water,” Pelayo said.
The also mayor stated that this could be attained with the establishment of Candaba water reservoir along the swamp . Aside from the benefit of potable water , the same could also irrigate thousands of hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon.
Its 1,000-hectare reservoir would serve as a year-round fishing ground for the fishermen in Candaba.
Candaba Swamp acts as a natural flood retention basin holding wet season overflow from the Maasim, San Miguel, Garlang, Bulu and Penaranda Rivers, and draining into the Pampanga River.
The natural retention capacity is estimated at approximately 1.5 billion cubic metres. The average depth of water is l-2m, and the maximum about 5m.
The establishment of Candaba water reservoir would be complemented with the eco-tourism development in Candaba and the whole province of Pampanga by providing an effective system of managing water for the conservation of the Candaba swamp and its wildlife.