CEBU CITY -- The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) is eyeing to tap other sources of water to augment its supply from its major source, the Jaclupan Dam in Talisay City, which has already dried up due to extreme heat.
Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, spokesperson of MCWD, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that the water district is eyeing to commission private wells here with ample supply of water, as well as ask providers from other towns to increase their supply.
As the El Niño weather phenomenon brings intense heat, Jaclupan Dam’s production has been affected, with its usual daily average production of 33,000 cubic meters decreasing to about 9,000 cubic meters, or short of 24,000 cubic meters per day, Kara said.
“Less than one-third ang iyang production. Atong gihinaot nga mo-last until end of May or early June. Pero grabe ang kainit, nauga na gyud (Its production is less than one-third already. It was supposed to last until the end of May or early June, but because of the intense heat, it has dried up),” she said.
The water body has also relied on the increased volume of water coming from the town of Carmen, Cebu, she added.
The Buot river in this city’s hinterland, whose water level has remained unaffected by the hot weather, has been the source of water for six neighboring barangays. The river, Kara said, has a chlorinator. The people can bring containers to fetch potable water.
Rationing of water to consumers will continue, until the water supply normalizes.
In the meantime, households from this city and Talisay will experience shortened period of water connection to one to two hours every day, Kara said.
“Padayon ta sa atoang rotational rationing in areas affected (Rotational rationing in some affected areas will continue), mostly in Cebu City barangays up to downtown center. Puli-puli og paagas (Water service becomes rotational) after 10 p.m. until 5 a.m.,” she said.
MCWD is also coordinating with the barangays and the Bureau of Fire Protection for the delivery of water to affected areas in this city, she added. (PNA)
