With the growing demand of water consumption in Davao City and the setbacks on the operation of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), the Davao City Water District (DCWD) bared that its current water supply is at its "threshold."
"As it is right now, we can say that our available water supply is naa na gyud na siya sa (at its) threshold, especially pag-peak hours of water demand kay mag-doble man gyud na ang konsumo sa tao tapos sabay-sabay ang paggamit (during peak hours due to the double demand of the water caused by the increasing consumption, added with its simultaneous usage)," DCWD Spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said during SunStar Davao's online talk show The Talking Heads Friday afternoon, September 23.
With this, Duhaylungsod said its consumers could expect that there are areas that will be experiencing intermittent water supply --- from low to no water pressure despite the absence of a water interruption.
"As it stands, we have around 29 percent out of the 242,000 service connections [that are experiencing intermittent supply]," she said.
The official said they are targeting these areas for their interventions, including valve management, and adjustment of distributions, so that the consumers can have a convenient water supply.
To address the hounding water woes, DCWD has laid down different strategies to ensure that amid the intermittent water supply, it will be restored within the 24-hour timeframe.
Despite their venture on the DCBWSP, Duhaylungsod said they continue to develop other water sources. In addition, she said they have contingency supplies and development of additional sources even in areas projected to be sourced by the Bulk Water project. This is for the improvement of their water service.
"On the part of DCWD, even with our venture aning Bulk Water Supply Project, we never place all our eggs in one bag 'cause we understand na based pud sa mga (that based on the) experience sa (of) other water service providers diri sa nasud (in the country), if you depend so much on only one major source, there will be consequences kung maka-encounter mi og mga (if you encounter these) challenges," the spokesperson said.
She said they developed a production well that was supposed to be operational as a contingency supply for the city's third district in case there will be a delay with the Bulk Water project. This is already operational this year as an augmentation to the water supply in the franchise area.
Based on their experience as a water service provider, there is an increasing water demand which requires more supply.
On average, she said a service connection would consume an average of one cubic meters per day, although this is not consistent considering there are establishments and industries that consume more.
"Nagasaka man gud ang water demand sa tao, so sa pagkakaron (There is an increase of water demand among consumers, that is why for now), it would be at around one cubic [meter], but if you can offer more water supply, then mag-open siya og mga mas daghang (it would open a lot of) activities. It could be residential or economic activities," Duhaylungsod said.
She said there is a need to augment the bulk water supply as this would provide additional daily water supply.
Currently, DCWD's existing facilities can provide around 330 million liters of water per day. Once the DCBWSP will operate, it can provide an additional 300 million liters per day.
The P12-billion DCBWSP will tap the Tamugan River as a major water source for the system. It is a joint project of the DCWD and Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc.
Apo Agua, in a press statement, said they are ramping up construction works for the DCBWSP, and are targeting to complete the project before the end of 2022 despite a tight timetable.
This is after "they are taking the lead role" in the construction of DCBWSP.
The company said they are fast-tracking the construction due to setbacks and "complications" brought about by the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and other contributing “internal factors.”
Prior to taking over the project, Apo Agua said J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation was the lead contractor in the project's engineering, procurement, and construction.
Previously, Apo Agua targeted to start operations of the bulk water project before the end of 2021. However, the project has yet to be completed.
The delays of the Bulk Water were scrutinized during the regular session of the 20th City Council on Tuesday, September after DCWD consumers had experienced poor water service since Friday, September 16.
This is after the whole Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS) Line 2 had an emergency water service interruption due to electrical wiring being damaged and a main electrical wire needing to be replaced.
Hyde Reyes Laspiñas, DCWD Head of production, during the session already announced that the majority of the areas covered by the Line 2 had their water supply restored. Although some continue to experience intermittent supply.
Apo Agua has yet to provide a comprehensive update on the project’s development in a press conference next week. RGL