Water infra investments seen to benefit residents

Landco Pacific Corporation, the developer of the P10 billion integrated subdivision project Monterrazas de Cebu, is focusing on investing largely on flood control infrastructure in this high-end estate venture for the benefit of its future residents.

The company is bent on building more detention ponds as the project progresses. It is contemplating on building 20 to 30 ponds to reserve waters from the mountains, which translates to a minimum of P2 million investment for the smallest pond.

Since Monterrazas de Cebu, is one of the largest developments being introduced here in the recent years, the company’s vice president and head for Visayas and Mindanao group Micheal R. Reyes said they have to invest largely on the protection of the environment.

Composed of eight adjacent hills with a ridge spanning over three kilometers, the development boasts of the best views of the city, with an elevation of up to 500 meters above sea level.

Landco developed its “Storm Water Management Concept”, which is consistent with the proposed Cebu City Drainage Master Plan.

This extensive storm contingency program will develop on-site storm water detention infrastructure which is determined to be 20 percent higher than the Cebu City Master Plan requirement.

The sprawling 220-hectare development will have a total of six ponds (or drainage basins) for Phase I that will absorb the heavy downfall of water from the mountains, especially during long-term rainy season.

Aside from ponds, other facilities that will be built to control the strong flow of water will include man-made lakes, lagoons, infiltration areas, grass pavers, among others.

The project’s overall drainage basin will cover the entire drainage of the Linap Creek catchments with an estimated total area of 760 hectares.

The major drainage basins are also subdivided into three major basins. The North portion discharges storm flow at Guadalupe River, while the South portion discharges run off at Linap Creek.

A PE lining (or filter lining) will be installed in every pond, in order to filter other forms of solid waste that can usually cause stuck-up in water-outflow passages, or in the drainage systems.

According to Reyes, Landco’s decision to make a lot of detention ponds surrounding the sprawling development, would also allow the company to save on its water cost, as it plans to treat or recycle the waters, for irrigation, and other uses.