Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Baciwa's decommissioning of pre-war pipes to cause water shortage in City
By Ma. Ester L. Espina
WATER shortage to no water supply will affect thousands of residents on Wednesday as the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) "decommissions" pre-war pipes and replaces it with new ones to repair systems losses and improve water service delivery.
"This is a historic event and we are appealing to our consumers to bear with us for this temporary inconvenience but this program will definitely improve water supply in most areas," said Attorney Juliana Carbon, general manager of Baciwa.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
The old pipes were installed by the Japanese in 1928 yet and their replacement is long overdue. Carbon also stressed that the water district has been suffering from almost 37 percent systems loss due to the dilapidated pipes.
Baciwa produces 316,000 cubic meters of water monthly and of these, 111,252 cubic meters or amounting to P2.66 million every month go to waste due to damage incurred in the old transmission lines.
The old pipes measures six to eight inches in diameter and will be replaced with pipes twice as large as the old ones which Carbon said will "definitely improve our water supply to areas being serviced by the Boro-Boro springs."
The decommissioning of the 5.2 kilometer old transmission lines will take a whole-day operation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will affect Alangilan, Granada, Charito Heights, San Dionisio, Patricia Homes, Capitol Village, Sunshine Valley, Jesusa Heights, Villa Soledad, Hda. Pedring, Sam Village, Villa Villeta, Capitol Hills, Fortune Towne, and Greensville I, II, III and IV.
Also affected will be Sto. Nino Village, Capitol Heights, Villa Angela, Buena Park, Villa San Agustin, Patria Village, Royal Meadows, Helvetia Heights, Gonzaga Subdivision, Villamonte, PHHC, Lopez Jaena, Burgos Street, Rizal Street, Hilado Street, Galo Street, Eroreco, CL Montelibano, Lilgon Subd., Shopping, Villa Ramos, Cabacawan, Villa Fe, Purok Isla, Akishola, Purok Sabes, Malvar Cubay, Villa Socorro and Villa Celia.
Carbon advised residents in the areas to store water the day before for while the operation is expected to be done before 6 p.m., there might be some hitches which might lengthen the time when water will not be available "for we have to finish the entire replacement program before we open the main water valve."
Baciwa will be mobilizing 100 employees on Wednesday, some of whom will be assigned to repair major leakage in certain areas as well as dismantle illegal connections and replace them with new pipe lines.
They also warned the public of the possibility that turbid water might flow out of their water pipes as soon as the valves are opened but said there is no need to be alarmed as "this is normal after our flushing operation."
Baciwa encourage consumers to report call their hotline if turbid water does not subside after some time. "Just close your main water valve and call Baciwa so we can fix the problem," Carbon said, adding that they will have people on standby for another 24 hours after the decommissioning operation "to monitor leakage and other problems."
The public may call Baciwa hotline numbers - 4334601; 4331294; 7080233; and their 24-hour hotline 4334602 and 09209125138.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio.
(August 14, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
