IN A bid to address the water shortage, Baguio City Water District General Manager Engineer Salvador Royeca said the city needs the bulk water project for a supply to cover over 50,000 cubic meters of water a day.
“We have to increase the supply (of water). We are trying to have a bulk of water supply on the top of the infrastructure projects that we’re making,” Royeca said.
Royeca said the water shortage is caused by the growing population of the city with an estimated increase of 80,000 cubic centimeters per day in the next five years.
Royeca added that during the summer season up to the month of June, water shortage is usually experienced because of the tourist flocking to the summer capital.
Royeca expressed alarm as some of the city’s aquifers are in critical condition.
An aquifer is a body of permeable rock that can transmit groundwater.
Royeca said adjustments for water supply in the areas of Tam–Awan, Quezon Hill, Pinget, Trancoville and Camp Allen are being done as other available sources or deep wells are diverted to augment the shortage.
The newest firm interested in the project is the Manny Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. which is set to present to the city its offer next week.
Manila Water offered to lead the project with a cost of P80/cubic meter to which Royeca said was too high, eyeing lower cost for water in the City.
The bulk water project was conceptualized in 1997 and is envisioned to be a joint venture undertaking with a private company to supply the city with its daily needs of 50,000 cubic meters.
The project will deliver potable water from outside sources that will be tapped by the winning supplier and its price must be fixed in order to be affordable to consumers who will then enjoy a round-the-clock supply of potable water for their various uses.
Royeca encouraged every household to water storage good for three days.
“Kung hindi natin ito gagawin, magkakaroon talaga ng problema sa Baguio at ang mga matataas na lugar. Talagang hindi maabot ng suplay (If we don't do this, Baguio and the highland areas will really have problems. The water supply won't reach there)," he said. (With a report from Jerick James Pasiliao, Colegio de Dagupan Intern)