FREQUENT rains helped sources of Metro Cebu’s only water district exceed their target production rates this month, less than two months after supply dropped in a dry spell.
The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD)’s overall daily water production target of 175,000 cubic meters a day has been exceeded and production has reached 176,000 cbm, after rains blessed their sources like the weir dam in Jaclupan, Talisay City.
During El Niño, the Jaclupan diversion weir produced about 146,000 cbm per day and used only three out of 15 pumps.
Now, they are able to produce more than the daily production target, said Engr. Ernie Delco, MCWD assistant general manager for operations.
Delco, in an interview yesterday, said their target production rate in Jaclupan was exceeded as heavy rains replenished supply.
Based on their monitoring, operators of the Jaclupan dam told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday more than two instances of floods were observed in the facility, which overflowed.
Last Thursday, rains filled the Jaclupan dam right to the brim, causing water to spill into the Mananga River.
Power
But while the Jaclupan weir is producing great amounts of water, the Buhisan Dam in Cebu City has yet to release any of its stored water.
Delco said the Buhisan Dam cannot contribute to the overall water production of MCWD yet, as it has to recover since it was desilted in early May.
Caretakers of the Buhisan Dam told Sun.Star Cebu the rains have filled the dam to about 18.25 meters, with more than 8.75 meters left to fill.
The Buhisan Dam is about 27 meters high and has a maximum capacity of about 186,000 cbm.
Aside from the rains, the Buhisan Dam also depends on an underground spring nearby.
With the excess water production, Delco assured MCWD will be able to provide uninterrupted water supply to its customers, as long as ample power supply—which their pumps need—is assured.
Frequent power shortages have caused problems for water consumers, he said, particularly those living in elevated areas. (JKV)