From busted MCWD distribution pipe: Gushing water wrecks 2 houses

CEBU, Philippines — Two houses have been destroyed by high-pressure water leaking from a busted distribution pipe of Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City Thursday dawn leaving at least two families homeless and several households without water supply.

Kamputhaw Barangay Captain Ica Cadungog said no one was hurt during the incident but the houses were completely ruined including the appliances and other personal belongings of the affected families.

“Duha siya pero ang isa kay walay nagpuyo, mura’g gihimo na lang nilag bodega na…Ang isa kay naay duha ka families nagpuyo…Walay injured, ang ilang mga gamit nangabasa lang,” said Cadungog.

The affected houses are situated under the bridge where the MCWD distribution pipe was attached.

MCWD spokesperson Minerva Gerodias said they will have a team to assess the extent of the damage to the houses and assured that “just compensation” will be accorded to the affected families.

“MCWD dispatched a team to assess the damage to nearby structures and determine any assistance the water district could offer to the owners,” part of MCWD’s official statement reads.

Gerodias said their water distribution line in Kamputhaw was already set for rehabilitation this year.

“Na-overtaken lang sa panghitabo kay ang gi-priority karon kay ang transmission under sa first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge,” she said.

The Freeman learned that the transmission line attached underneath the bridge in Kamputhaw was installed in 1995. Gerodias said they were targeting to finish the repair last night to restore the water supply in the area and the nearby barangays.

She said the incident caused a shutdown of the water supply in Busay, Lahug, Salinas Drive, and Escario Street.

“Kamputhaw area was immediately isolated to allow for repairs to take place and supply from Lusaran resumed gradually, so that water service to residents in other affected areas can be restored sooner. “

Gerodias said the leak was caused by the “increased water pressure from the Lusaran bulk water supply.” According to her, the water pressure when the incident happened was at 50 psi (pounds per square inch).

For several years, Kamputhaw had been struggling for lack of adequate water supply until the commissioning of the Lusaran bulk water supply recently. Unfortunately, the increased pressure from the recent injection of additional supply caused a portion of the transmission line to give way, resulting in a strong leak. The high-pressure leak resulted in a loss of more than 1,000 cubic meters of water yesterday or an estimated P20,000 worth.

“MCWD sincerely apologizes to affected residents for the inconvenience caused by this situation. Our team is working diligently to complete repairs within the day, in order to restore water service to the affected areas.”

Gerodias also assured the MCWD consumers that the wasted water will not be charged against them.

“MCWD will not charge consumers for water that did not pass through their water meters. If there is a leak before the water meter, consumers will not have to pay for it. MCWD will absorb the cost of the water losses. Consumers will only have to pay for water that is wasted due to a leak if it occurs after their water meter,” Gerodias told The Freeman.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo said he had already anticipated the incident which prompted him to propose an ordinance seeking for the modernization of pipes and standardization of distances of water stub-outs to residential houses among other measures.

“Mao gyud ning akong gikabalak-an…Naing-ani gani ning karaang pipe nga naas gawas, how much more kung underground? kaning nakalubong sa ilawm na mga karaan na kaayo,” Guardo said.

Aside from safety, and savings, Guardo is also concerned about the health of the Cebuanos because some of the water pipes are exposed to elements and dirty canals.

A public hearing on Guardo’s proposed ordinance was already done last week, but some things are still to be ironed out.

He clarified that the replacement of water pipes to high-tech ones should not be done all at once as it will also be very expensive on the part of the water utility and the consumers as well.

“It’s just timely na ilisdan na ni nila…Naa man silay data kung kanus-a nila ni gipangtaod, gipanglubong…So they should replace it na with pipes nga upgraded na…and those nga bag-o nga connection, dapat new technology na pud,” added Guardo. (FREEMAN)