Slower flow, drier water sources

The drying up of Jaclupan wellfields in Talisay City and the Buhisan dam in summer is taking a toll on Cebu City.

Low water pressure is being experienced in various parts of the city, although the situation doesn’t require water rationing yet.

Department of Public Services (DPS) head Engr. Dionisio Gualiza told CDN the condition – an unusual low water table reported by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) – has affected their operations.

“I received a report that the pressure of the water hydrant in barangay Lahug started to decrease last Wednesday,” he said.

With the slower flow, it takes more time to fill the city’s tanker which delivers water to mountain barangays of Banawa, Sudlon II, Mabini, Talamban and Pung-ol-Sibugay among others.

“It used to take 30 to 45 minutes to fill up the water tanker. Now it takes up to two hours,” he said.

The DPS has only one water tanker with a capacity of 72,000 liters of water.

The tanker is sent to areas that request assistance, especially upland barangays during summer or when an El Nino weather condition occurs. A second tanker is out of order.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama questioned why MCWD was not able to prepare for the dry spell.

“Ilang sulti, dili man kuno alarming [They said it is not alarming]. How can’t it be alarming? What is the purpose of having a dam when there is no more water?” Rama told reporters. Buhisan Dam supplies 5% of MCWD’s supply.

“Let’s conserve water, “ he advised the public, “but it’s very difficult not to take a bath everyday when it’s so hot,” he said.