Desalination to solve water problem

CEBU, Philippines — A seawater desalination plant is seen to soon address the water shortage problem of Lapu-Lapu City.

Congresswoman Paz Radaza, of the city’s lone district, said during her last press conference as mayor last Friday that she signed an agreement with Citicore Summa Water Corp. to help address the city’s water shortage problem. The solution? A seawater desalination plant.

There is shortage of potable water supply in Lapu-Lapu City due to the wells of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) drying up due to the mild El Niño.

Radaza said at present the city’s demand is approximately 92 to 100 million liters (92,000 to 100,000 cubic meters) per day, while the water supply the city is getting is only 20 to 30 million liters (20,000 to 30,000 cubic meters) a day, which is hardly enough for Oponganons.

In short, there is a shortage of approximately 62 million to 70 million liters (62,000 to 70,000 cubic meters) per day.

“I think inyong na tan-aw nga short na kaayo ta’g supply ug water sa Lapu-Lapu. This is the answer sa mga needs nila,” she said.

The water shortage has been attributed to the city’s rapid development, which exponentially increases the demand for potable water, Radaza said.

Citicore Manager of Business Development John Paul Corpus said the groundbreaking of the said plant will start as early as possible

“(We are) still working on few more details, but everything is in order,” he said.

“If everyone will be helping each other for the betterment, this project will be delivered within a year,” he added.

Radaza said the seawater desalination plant, can produce up to 60,000 cubic meters (60 million liters) of water per day.

The project shall be at no cost to the city government. Citicore will reportedly shoulder the total expected capital expenditure of about P3.4 billion.

The main goal of this project is to help Lapu-Lapu City to become more independent in terms of water supply. On the sidelines, surplus water can also be sold to MCWD and other entities for not more than P56.70 per cubic meter, which is lower compared to the other prices in the market (around P80 per cubic meter). From this, the city will earn at least P0.50 per cubic meter, or at least about P11 million per year.

The city government was able to convince Citicore to provide the land requirement for the project and to shorten the construction period to 12 to 18 months.

It was not immediately known where in the city the plant is planned to be built. — Bonen A. Clarin (FREEMAN)