Leak prompts water interruption

CEBU, Philippines — The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is facing simultaneous challenges in its water distribution system, with a major pipeline leak crippling supply in Cebu City and a line interruption in Lapu-Lapu City for maintenance.

MCWD, in a statement, confirmed that a raw water transmission pipeline from Buhisan Dam to the Tisa Filter Plant sustained severe damage, forcing the facility to halt production entirely.

The leak has left the plant at zero output, cutting supply to a wide area of Cebu City.

The affected barangays include Tisa, Punta Princesa, Salvador, Labangon, Mambaling, Banawa, Happy Valley, V. Rama Avenue, parts of Guadalupe, Sambag 1 and 2, Calamba, M. Velez, the Uptown area, Capitol Site, Osmeña Boulevard, F. Ramos Street, Taboan, Ermita, Sanciangko, and portions of downtown Cebu City.

Engineers have abandoned the damaged section and are preparing full replacement works to restore operations.

In addition to the emergency leak, MCWD has scheduled a 13-hour interruption in Lapu-Lapu City today, October 12, 2026, to decommission a transmission line in Barangay Pajo.

The shutdown, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., will affect Basak Cagudoy, Basak proper, portions of Pajo, and parts of Poblacion.

MCWD urged residents to store enough water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, complete household chores before the cut-off, and keep containers tightly covered to prevent contamination.

MCWD said repair crews are expediting work in Cebu City while scheduled maintenance in Lapu-Lapu will proceed as planned.

In another development, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival met with MCWD General Manager John Dx Lapid and other officials to discuss priority programs to mitigate the impacts of the expected “Super El Niño.”

Among the measures proposed were the procurement of at least 10 million liters per day of additional water supply at lower cost, refurbishment of emergency generators for pumping stations, installation of siphon systems and filtration equipment, development of new groundwater wells, and a performance-based contract to reduce non-revenue water losses.

Archival emphasized that early preparation and immediate action are essential to secure a sufficient and reliable water supply for Metro Cebu residents.

MCWD acknowledged the inconvenience caused by both the emergency leak and the scheduled interruption but stressed that these measures, alongside El Niño preparations, are critical steps toward strengthening Metro Cebu’s water infrastructure amid rising demand and climate pressures. (CEBU  NEWS)