City plans to put up water stations in drought-affected areas

TO address water shortage, the Cebu City government is planning to put up water stations in areas affected by the dry spell.

“We were thinking of putting up water stations around the city, but first we have to identify the areas where water is scarce,” acting mayor Margot Osmeña told reporters in an interview last Friday.

She said they will have to secure a list from the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and the City Department of Public Services (DPS) in order to determine where the water stations are to be installed.

Osmeña said the city has 14 water containers ready for use. Each container accommodates 4,200 liters of water.

When asked about the city-owned water tankers, Osmeña said those are already defective but could still be used as water storage for the water stations.

The city is planning to have one water container for every water station.

Edna Inocando, Community Relations manager of MCWD, said they initially discussed with Osmeña, the representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and City Hall personnel that the water for the stations will be taken from the Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI).

Last month, the PWRI promised to give excess water production of 8,000 cubic meters per day for free to affected places.

There was also a suggestion that in case the water supply from PWRI is not enough, the city will avail of water from other private suppliers.

Inocando said their office has identified more than 30 areas within Cebu City with low pressure to no water.

These are Bulacao, Poblacion and Quiot Pardo, Kinasang-an, Basak San Nicolas, Mambaling, Duljo, San Nicolas proper, Pahina San Nicolas, Sawang Kalero, Suba Pasil, Pasil, Ermita, Punta Prinsesa, Tisa, Labangon, Calamba, Capitol Site, Sta. Cruz, Sambag I and II, Cogon Ramos, San Antonio, Pahina Central, Kalubihan, Reclamation area, Carreta, all piers, M.J. Cuenco, Lahug, Apas, San Jose Talamban, Opra, Camputhaw, Nivel, road to Ma. Luisa Banilad, and some parts of downtown area.

Inocando said that as of last Thursday, the Buhisan Dam produced 1,000 cubic meters per day while the Jaclupan wells generated 7,088 cubic meters a day.

This is a decrease of more than twice the normal production of the said water sources.

Before the dry spell, Buhisan used to produce 5,000 to 10,000 cubic meters daily while Jaclupan generated 33,000 cubic meters a day.

Inocando also said that they have issued a notice to their consumers that MCWD may resort to water rationing due to lack of water supply. They also advised their clients to store water.

As of April this year, the city hall declared a state of calamity because of water shortage in all 80 barangays of Cebu City.

Among those severely affected were residents of mountain barangays and other elevated areas.

According to a report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the dry spell will continue well into the month of June.