MCWD: Low water pressure in some areas

CEBU, Philippines - Water consumers in Metro Cebu have to bear low pressure to no water as extremely high temperatures and the absence of rain these past few weeks have decreased the water production of Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

Astrophel Logarta, MCWD Production and Distribution department manager said in a statement that the water supply is expected to normalize when the rainy season starts in June.

Logarta said the water production of MCWD's Jaclupan wellfields dropped by 10,000 cubic meters, or from 30,000 cubic meters to 20,000 cubic meters a day, as the Jaclupan River dried up.

MCWD's Jaclupan facility, which is the water's district's biggest source of water for Metro Cebu serve consumers in some areas in the cities of Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu and the municipalities of Consolacion and Liloan.

He said the water pumping level of the Jaclupan facility started to drop at the end of March.

A drop in the water pumping level means the extracted water was more than what was recharged.

This is because the source of water for the recharging of the Jaclupan wellfields is the river.

Water is stored in a catchment basin and is allowed to seep through the ground before it is pumped out for distribution.

The areas in Talisay City that will be experiencing low pressure to no water are upper Lagtang, Lawaan, the upper part of Nonoc, San Isidro, Tabunok and Mojon 2.

In Cebu City, the areas affected are Bulacao, Pardo, Sunrise Village, St. Jude (upper), Holy Cross (back area), Villa Bulsita, upper Bulacao (Sto. Nino), Bontores, Basak, N. Bacalso Ave., Mambaling, Dapdap, Alaska, Alumnos, Riva Ridge Subdivision, Felina Village, Climaco, Tisa, San Jose Village, F. Ramos St., Sikatuna, M. Velez St., Oprra, Capitol Site, Osmeña Blvd., B. Rodriguez, V. Rama Ave., Calamba, Manalili, V. Gullas, Reclamation Area, M.J. Cuenco Ave., Villagonzalo 1 and 2.

In Mandaue, the areas affected are Subangdaku, Tipolo, Guizo, Alang-alang, Umapad, Opao, Looc, Cambaro, Pakna-an, Pagsabungan, Hermag Village and Mantuyong while in Lapu-Lapu, Mactan island, Ibo, Buyong, Buaya, Mactan, Punta Engano, Soong, Maribago will be affected.

Elevated areas of Casili in Consolacion will also be affected as well as areas in Liloan, like Tagaytay, Calero, Mahayahay and upper San Vicente.

The water district has an average daily production of 180,000 cubic meters to serve its over 146,000 service connections.

MCWD advised the public to store water as it is temporarily managing the distribution of the supply to ensure all consumers will be served despite experiencing low pressure to no water at some hours of the day.

It is best to store water during the night, MCWD advised.

According to the Seasonal Climate Outlook of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Central Visayas is among the areas expected to experience below normal rainfall conditions during the month of May.

Rainy season is expected to start during the latter part of May or the early part of June.

Logarta however assured that MCWD's wellfields in Tisa, Lahug, Casili, Consolacion and Liloan are not experiencing any decrease in water production as the sources are underground. - /BRP (FREEMAN)