Buhisan dam may be operational again within the week - MCWD

CEBU, Philippines - The Buhisan dam in Cebu City may be operational again within the week or next week as the level of water there is now less than a meter from the discharge pipe, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District said yesterday.

Ernie Delco, MCWD assistant general manager for operation, explained it has taken quite a while to fill up the dam despite recent rains because it has become deeper after the silt that has accumulated therein was removed when the dam drained over the summer.

“Dugay napuno ang pond kay lalom na man gud na. Tungod kay atoa na baya gipangkuha ang  silt,” Delco said.

The nine-hectare dam has a maximum depth of 27 meters and has a capacity of 300,000 cubic meters.

The dam releases 10,000 cubic meters of water everyday that serves 7,000 households.

Delco assured there is no water shortage because the Jaclupan water reservoir in Talisay City is now producing 30,000 cubic meters of water every day, compared to the previous 8,000 cubic meters. This is reportedly enough to supply water to Talisay City, said City Planning and Development Coordinator Christine Homez.

Homez admitted the water reservoir almost dried out during the El Niño, which resulted to “intermittent water supply” in some areas serviced by MCWD. However, this was replenished with the recent rains.

“The water level came to its very low point, but I’d like to say, dili pud pareha sa Manila nga halos wala na gyud silay tubig,” Homez explained.

The Jaclupan reservoir has a storing capacity of about 5,000 cubic meters. The reservoir distributes water to MCWD’s concessionaires in Talisay City and Cebu City.

Aside from the reservoir, MCWD also operates several wells in Barangay Lagtang and several other barangays in Talisay City.

Last May, at the height of the dry season, the Talisay City Hall was bombarded with complaints of the seemingly poor services provided by MCWD.

Former Councilor Arturo Bas, who was one of those affected, even went on to suggest to the council to summon representatives of MCWD to explain the situation. Other councilors also suggested that since the city has abundant water supply, it should have its own water system. This proposal remains on the table. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Liv G. Campo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)