UNTIL it can tap a new water source, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is putting on hold all connection applications in around 35 areas in Metro Cebu due to inadequate supply.
As of July 17, affected areas in Cebu City include Barangays Guadalupe, Kalunasan, Lahug, Busay, Apas, Talamban, Pit-os, San Jose, Banilad, Bacayan, Kamputhaw and Capitol Site.
Also affected are Barangays Ibabao, Babag, Calawisan, Agus, Looc, Buyong, Soong, Maribago, Marigondon, Punta Engaño and Suba Basbas in Lapu-Lapu City.
Elevated interiors
Water scarcity is experienced in Barangays Looc and Umpad in Mandaue City, and Barangays Tagaytay and Calero in Liloan.
In Cordova, affected areas are Barangays Gabi, Alegria, Poblacion, Catarman, Day-as and Pilipog.
Charmaine Kara, MCWD spokesperson, said that one of the reasons there is little or no water pressure in these areas is because most are located in elevated interiors.
Advice
“We are producing around 227,000 cubic meters a day, but we can only supply to at least 50 percent of the total water demand in Metro Cebu. If we can gather enough volume to boost up the pressure to reach these elevated areas, the situation would be alleviated. But for now, our intervention would be to suspend connection applications in these areas,” she said.
Kara said MCWD has already commissioned a possible source in Danao City, whose supply is expected to be available in 2019 or less than two years from now. The new source is expected to supplement around 10,000 cubic meters of water daily.
Meantime, she encouraged residents of the affected areas to conserve water and be mindful of their consumption.
“We’re asking for their understanding and (for them to) store water at off-peak hours, or from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. We also encourage them to keep a water tank, in case there is an interruption,” Kara said.