Cebu's water supply remains normal

CEBU, Philippines - The water supply in Cebu remains normal amidst the El Niño phenomenon that is already affecting many parts of the country.

Engr. Astrophel Logarta, department manager of the Production and Distribution Department of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) said that water supply here is not affected by the drought that has already resulted in decreased water level in many provinces.

He emphasized that unlike in other areas, the MCWD is extracting most of the water it supplies to its consumers from underground. More than 90 percent of the water district’s supply comes from deep wells and the rest are from surface water sources like the Buhisan Dam.

But despite that, the MCWD is still urging its consumers to conserve water and adopt the water saving tips.

“Due to limited rainfall brought about by the entry of the summer season and the El Niño phenomenon, water supply will soon become scarce.  Hence, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is urging its consumers to conserve water and adopt water saving tips,” the water district said in an advisory posted on its website.

These water saving tips include taking a shorter showers; while shaving, washing the face or brushing the teeth, don’t use running water from the faucet; when washing dishes and kitchen utensils by hand, fill a basin with soapy water. 

Quick-rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet. Also avoid unnecessary flushing of the toilet; dispose of tissue paper and other waste materials in the trash bin rather than in the toilet and promptly repair dripping faucets, toilet tank leaks and water pumps.

Also, Logarta advises consumers to immediately change damaged meter so that it will refrain from increasing their water bills

Meanwhile, despite the high demand for water, MCWD said it has no plans yet of increasing their water rates to their consumers.

Edna Inocando, officer-in-charge of MCWD under Public Affairs Department said that they cannot directly enforce water rate hike as this would first undergo public consultation.  

MCWD also needs to inform first and get the approval of the Local Water Utilities Administration before imposing a water rate hike, she added. — Johanna T. Natavio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)