Thursday, June 26, 2008 DCWD needs P300M to cut systems loss by 50% By Joy Romares-Sevilla
AT LEAST P300 million is needed to reduce water systems loss in Davao City, the general manager of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) said.
"Our systems loss is pegged at about 30.68 percent every year and about P300 million is the needed investment to reduce it by one half," Rodora Gamboa, DCWD general manager, said in Tuesday's edition of the Business Forum at the Medispa at SM Davao.
Gamboa said one of the DCWD's projects is to reduce systems loss through replacement of old pipes in selected areas in the city.
"Causes of systems loss are not only because of leaks in pipes, but also in illegal connections," she said.
She added that DCWD could not come up with a sewerage system because it entails high cost of investments.
"We cannot come up with a sewerage system not only because it entails high cost of investments, but also the willingness of consumers to have it is very low," Gamboa said.
In Singapore, Gamboa noted that the average water systems loss is only placed at five percent "because leak-proof and lasting pipes are used in their water systems."
"Since the willingness of consumers of having a sewerage system is very low, we conduct advocacies and education for them to realize its importance," Gamboa concluded.
