There will be more water supply in three months to help address Bacolod City’s shortage that has worsened with the dry spell brought on by the El Niño phenomenon.
The BACIWA-PrimeWater assurance was made at an emergency meeting called by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Tuesday, February 27.
Benitez, at a press conference on Monday, stressed the need for a drastic solution to the water needs of Bacolod, especially with the El Niño phenomenon that is causing water levels to drop.
“The directive I’m giving BACIWA is for them to give me a technical study on water sources that can be tapped and the fastest way to give supply to our water network,” he said.
The mayor said the initial target was for an additional 20 million liters per day (MLD) in six months. “Now I don’t think I have that six months because of El Niño so I want to find a solution that’s faster than the six months,” Benitez said.
It was disclosed at the emergency meeting on Tuesday that BACIWA-PrimeWater has deepwells that can give an additional 15 to 16 MLD in three months, including the 5 MLD from Bukal-bukal in Alangilan.
The Bacolod City government will also give assistance in availing of rights of way to hasten BACIWA-PrimeWater’s access to additional water supply.
Ernie Delco, PrimeWater technical audit groups head, said they are upgrading and optimizing existing deepwells that can give an additional 7 million liters per day.
We can hit a maximum of 15 to 16 MLD depending on water quality results, he said.
Delco said they really appreciate the effort of the mayor in helping them with the Department of Public Works and Highways and in availing of rights of way.
Also present at the meeting were councilors Kalaw Puentevella and Pao Sy, and representatives of BACIWA-Primewater, Bacolod Bulk Water Inc., National Water Resources Board, Local Water Utilities Administration, and the Water Utilities Division.*