THE Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has started implementing projects to address the water crisis for the long term.

MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Kara said that if the Mananga Dam, additional desalination plants, the Danao City bulk water supply project and another bulk water supply project for central and northern Metro Cebu areas will be completed, consumers won’t have to worry about water shortage whenever there is a dry spell.

Kara said that in the next five years, they expect the demand for water in Metro Cebu to increase from 450,000 cubic meters a day to 500,000 cubic meters per day with the rise of new hotels, condominiums and office towers, among others.

The current demand in its franchise area is at 450,000 cubic meters a day. MCWD serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova.

Kara said since MCWD started operating in 1975, the water district has served less than 50 percent of the demand. Private wells take care of the rest.

Kara said 44 areas or around 1.2 million people within its franchise area, mostly in elevated areas, do not have continuous water supply.

Records from MCWD showed that the water district has already received a joint venture proposal for the Mananga Dam project, which is expected to be completed in 10 years after the contract is awarded.

It is expected to produce 86,000 cubic meters per day.

MCWD has also received a joint venture proposal for a desalination plant project in Mactan, which will treat seawater to make it potable.

The civil works for MCWD’s bulk water supply contract with Danao City is also ongoing, as well as drilling for additional wells.

MCWD is also in the process of getting consent from land owners for 30 new additional wells that it plans to construct.

Water sources of MCWD are mostly groundwater, which comprises 70 percent of its supply. Other sources are surface water (26 percent) and desalination plants (four percent.) (RVC)