Capitol starts water mapping

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Inter-LGU Waterworks Systems Office (CPIWSO) has started consolidating data on water sources across the province as part of preparations for the possible effects of El Niño, including water shortages and reduced water supply for agriculture.

CPIWSO head Engr. Aldrin Barade said the office is building a system for the continuing inventory of water sources, covering both large and small sources that could potentially be developed for water supply, irrigation or impounding.

The inventory was ordered by Governor Pamela Baricuatro as a province-wide, interdepartmental effort to identify available water sources and determine how they could be utilized should prolonged dry conditions affect Cebu.

Barade said the initiative also involves validating reports of potential water sources received by the governor’s team during visits to different local government units (LGUs).

"Si Gov man gud, during sa iyang mga visits sa LGUs, naay mga makita nga mga water sources, so ilang i-inform sa amoa, then we will go there to validate and then among studyhan kung unsa, asa siya pwede magamit," Barade said.

He said the office is not treating the inventory as a one-time activity because new potential sources may still be reported and would have to undergo validation and technical assessment.

"Continuing ni siya nga inventory, kutub sa naay mo-provide og information," Barade said.

Among the factors being considered are the elevation of a potential source, water quality and the volume of water it can provide.

Barade said the office would technically assess each source to determine whether it would benefit surrounding areas and whether it could be developed for a particular purpose.

Initial data consolidation has pointed to rivers and other surface water sources as potentially significant sources that could supply several LGUs. However, Barade said the province needs more monitoring before determining their actual yield.

"Both sa South and North, they have mga dagko man nga rivers. But in terms of supply, amo pang i-studyhan, amo pang i-consolidate ang data before mi (determine) kung pila gyud ang actual yield," he said.

Barade said water sources require longer monitoring because their capacity cannot be reliably determined through a single assessment.

The office aims to gather enough information by the end of the year to initially guide the province’s preparations for El Niño, although the inventory itself will continue beyond that period.

The next challenge, he said, would be determining the infrastructure needed to utilize the identified sources, whether through impounding facilities, pipelines or water treatment plants.

For smaller sources, particularly springs at the barangay or community level, Barade said relatively simpler facilities such as tanks or small impounding structures could be developed to serve nearby communities.

"For barangay level nga mga water systems, it will require mga smaller pipes and then smaller tanks or mga water storage nga mga structure," he said.

Larger projects serving municipalities or several LGUs, however, would require longer preparation because these would involve studies on the water source, hydraulics, pipelines and, in some cases, water treatment.

Barade said a typical water system would consist of three main components: source development, a storage tank and a piping system. Depending on the source and intended use, a treatment plant or pressure pumps may also be needed.

He noted that surface water intended for human consumption would require treatment because it could be contaminated, while water intended for irrigation would not require the same level of treatment as potable water.

Construction of a new water system could take around one to two years from start to finish, according to Barade, although smaller community-level projects could be developed more quickly depending on the requirements.

The province already has operational water systems in Moalboal and Carmen, while most of the other bulk water projects are either ongoing or nearing completion, Barade said.

For the two systems currently managed by the office, he said there had been no observed water shortage so far, citing the size of their sources and the relatively small portion being utilized for the systems.

"Sa karon, wala pa man siya giingon nga ubos. It's because dako ang source didto, and then gamay ra nga portion ang gi-gamit for water system, so enough ra gyud ang system namo," Barade said.

However, he cautioned against using the situation in Moalboal and Carmen to draw conclusions about the entire province because the office has yet to complete its consolidation of province-wide data.

Asked whether Cebu’s existing water sources would be enough to withstand the expected El Niño conditions, Barade said the office could not yet give a definite answer.

"Dili pa gyud ko kaingon... need pa gyud ta og more data," he said. "Water man gud siya, and then water needs continuous monitoring."

The province is preparing for several possible impacts of prolonged dry conditions, including water shortages, extreme heat-related health effects and reduced water availability for agriculture and irrigation.

Barade said one of the major concerns is the dependence of water sources on rainfall, particularly rivers and other surface water sources that could lose supply during prolonged drought.

"Isa na ni ang possible water shortage, kay ang source man gud sa atong water is rainfall. Kung walay ulan, labi na kung long droughts, so ang atong river walay supply sa water," he said.

The office also sees aging water infrastructure as a concern in several LGUs. Barade said some existing pipelines may no longer adequately accommodate growing populations, making upgrades necessary regardless of the availability of water sources.

"Some LGUs nga outdated na ilang mga piping. So, nagkataas ba ang atong population. Meaning, ang infra dili na maka-accommodate sa mga tawo, so it needs more updating," he said.

The inventory will also be discussed in an interdepartmental meeting as the province seeks to integrate concerns involving water supply, agriculture and other water-related issues.

Barade said the CPIWSO, which was created through an ordinance as a separate provincial office rather than a department, is also facing staffing challenges as it expands its work.

The office currently has around six to seven technical personnel and about 10 personnel at its central office, while operators and plumbers are assigned to the Moalboal and Carmen systems.

He said the office has proposed additional personnel and funding for next year, but the final figures were still being finalized.

Despite the limitations, Barade said the immediate goal is to produce enough reliable data to help the provincial government identify where water can be sourced and what infrastructure may be needed before the impacts of El Niño intensify.

"We can have enough data na to prepare for El Niño... or for the end of this year," Barade said. — /FPL (FREEMAN)