Bohol water supply to fall short of rising demand

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – The consistently increasing trend in water demand here in Bohol, the current capacity of which is roughly estimated at 45,408 cubic meters per day (cumd) “cannot sustain the projected demand,” according to a study done by the Bohol Integrated Water Supply System.

This supply capacity lags far behind the projected demand of a daily average of 106,064 cubic meters, said the study.

Domestic use is the biggest rise in demand, from 59,985 cumd in 2010 to a projected 94,789 cumd by 2015 and to 152,195 by 2035. This is followed by commercial use, from 4,007 cumd to 6,000 cumd by 2015 and 17,273 cumd twenty years later.

The institutional use of 2,996 cumd in 2010 is forecast to rise to 6,000 cumd by 2015 and17,273 cumd by 2035, while tourism needs are computed from 1,954 cumd in 2010 to 3,387 cumd in 2015 and to 5,249 cumd by 2035.

The total demand for water, if all demand categories are combined, would be from 68,942 cumd in 2010 to 119,433 cumd in 2015 and to 203,011 cumd in 2035.

The study said that Bohol has about 20 river systems that were evaluated as potential sources in the future. These are the rivers of Loboc, Abatan, Wahig-Inabanga, CArood, Manaba, Alejawan and Ipil.

These potential surface water sources can be tapped to meet the demand considering the groundwater or aquifers have already become salty due to seawater intrusion, said the study.

The supply for more water is also getting critical to satisfy the growing population and other important use for various demand categories in Bohol province in the future, the BIWSS Master Plan pointed out.

This came as what the study called the “non-revenue water” (NRW) is being considered in the projection. NRW may be considered as “wastage” or “systems loss” including “leaks, pilferages, use of unmetered fire hydrants, technical losses, unmetered services/fixed rate and other unmetered uses.”

The study estimates about 20 percent for the NRW or unbilled water from 2015 onwards thus it has included the projection of water need of the populace in terms of demand categories from year 2010 to 2035.

Demand category refers to nomenclature of sectors that need water during the projected 25-year period.

These include domestic, commercial/industrial, institution, tourism and industrial estate as against the so-called “NRW,” average daily demand and maximum day demand and yearly average day demand in terms of cubic meter per day.