BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – As the water level in Maasin Dam continues to decline rapidly, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) is taking proactive measures to manage water shortages in the metropolis and nearby towns.
The hot weather spawned by the drought triggered below-normal rainfall that resulted in the rapid decline of water level in Maasin Dam, the main raw water source of the city’s main water distributor.
“MPIW is on heightened alert for any further reduction in our raw water sources. These water sources are monitored to have a rapid reduction,” said Marie Joy Josue, corporate affairs and communications head of MPIW.
The water utility firm remains on heightened alert despite the additional 10 million liters per day from one of its bulk water suppliers, said Josue. Hence, the water supplies under the service areas of MIWD remain in “good condition.”
With the water demand during the drought, MPIW said the additional water supply from its bulk suppliers will help stabilize the water supply production to an average of 70 to 73 million liters per day for its 48,000 service connections.
In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed that only 27 percent of the city population rely on the water utility firm for their water supply.
The majority of the Ilonggos still prefer to have their deep wells as their main source of water. Treñas said that personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office checked some deep wells in the city and found out they also dried up due to hot weather.
The water utility firm’s bulk water suppliers source their raw water from the Tigum, Jalaur and Againan rivers.
Earlier, MPIW said it has allocated about P1 billion for the renewal and rehabilitation of its pipe networks under its service areas.
The pipe upgrades and rehabilitation will reduce water losses due to leaks, hence, an increase in water supply for consumers, Josue stressed.
Pipe leaks, if not repaired, cause water losses, resulting in low water pressure and service water interruptions across the city.
These include system energization and use of technology for additional water supplies, conservation efforts, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable practices.
MPIW has energized its transmission line in the Leganes-Jaro service area and other water infrastructure system maintenance, which brings an additional 10 million liters per day, or about 4, 803 drums of water.
Such came after MPIW reported the water level in the Maasin dam is “rapidly declining.”
That caused its biggest bulk water supplier to maintain its current water supply production of an average of 53 million liters per day. MPIW said it has another bulk supplier delivering 20 million liters per day.
Last March 20, Metro Pacific Water started rationing water in certain areas in Iloilo City and nearby towns amid the dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
The water rationing will affect water service across Iloilo City, Santa Barbara, and portions of Pavia.
“This is to help arrest the rapid decline of the water level at Maasin Dam, due to limited inflows from rainfall,” the statement read.
The water schedule came as the water distribution firm admitted that the water level in Maasin Dam is at 93.86 meters and is “rapidly declining due to the effects of El Nino.”
“The prolonged absence of rain in the past weeks, and the continuous increase of temperature results in low bulk water supply production,” it said.
The MPIW urged the public to use water responsibly and conscientiously and conserve water during their water supply schedule./PN
