New water source for Metro Cebu

CEBU - The Metropolitan Cebu Water District yesterday awarded to Abejo Builders Corporation the rights to supply the northern town of Consolacion, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and some barangays in Cebu City 7,000 cubic meters of water per day.

MCWD Manager Armando Paredes assured that there will be no increase in water rates, as more than 5,000 more residents are expected to benefit from the new water supply.

Gabino Abejo Jr., chief operating officer of ABC, said they will be constructing six deep wells in Cansaga, Consolacion.

Currently, ABC is supplying Talisay City with 5,000 cubic meters of water per day.

MCWD will be buying water from ABC at a fixed rate of P14.08 per cubic meter inclusive of all taxes and net of penalties for the next 10 years. Abejo said they will start supplying water to MCWD within the next four months. 

MCWD has admitted the inadequate water supply in the Northern part of its service area. For now, the water district is tapping different interim sources of potable water while it is in the process of completing is major water expansion project.

The water that would be delivered by ABC shall be injected directly to MCWD’s existing 350 mm transmission line along the Cebu North Road in Consolacion at a minimum pressure of 40 per square inch.

Based on the memorandum of agreement signed by MCWD and ABC, the latter should be able to overcome a maximum pressure of 78 per square inch at any given time.

ABC will also have the option to inject the water at the raw water dike between the Casili reservoir and the Liloan High Level Reservoir at a pressure sufficient to overcome the elevation of HLR at any given time during the duration of the contract. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)