MCWD assures enough water supply for metro

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the onset of mild El Niño, Metropolitan Cebu Water District has assured its consumers that it has enough water for the eight local government units within its franchise area.

MCWD OIC general manager Ernie Delco said the government-owned and controlled corporation is still within the normal production rate. In fact, Delco said its reserve is up until the month of July this year. The average daily production of MCWD is at 21,000 cubic meters.

Cebu Manila Water Development in Carmen, northern Cebu pitches majority of the daily production with 18,000 cubic meters, while the remaining 3,000 cubic meters are from other sources.

“When we received the Carmen bulk water starting January 5, napuno ug nabusog ang atong service area, even the thirsty area like in Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, and Mandaue City. Punta Engano in Lapu-Lapu is at the tip of our service line and has weak pressure which affects the water supply. After the Carmen water, they now have 24/7 water supply,” Delco said during yesterday’s Association of Government Information Officers Forum held at MCWD Social Hall.

The water from Carmen serves consumers in Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, portions of Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City. Despite assurance of enough supply, MCWD still advised its consumers to do their share in conserving water so that scarcity is prevented.

Regular checking and repair of leaks in faucets and water pipes, and storing water during late evenings are the tips suggested by MCWD.

The state-owned water utility firm further encouraged using glass when brushing teeth and not leaving the faucet running, watering plants early in the morning or late afternoon, using brooms instead of water hose in cleaning garage, recycling of water for cleaning and flushing, not flushing cigarette butts or tissue and sanitary napkins into the toilet bowl, and limiting shower to four minutes which roughly consumes 20 to 40 gallons of water.

MCWD admitted that the production of Buhisan Dam in Cebu City decreased in half from 6,000 cubic meters per day to 3,000 cubic meters per day.

But production division manager Rebecca Husayan said that water from Buhisan Dam constitutes only a third of the total production. Apart from Buhisan Dam, another water source is the Jaclupan Dam in Talisay City. — (FREEMAN)