Baguio road rehab continue to cause water supply glitches

May 20, 2022 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (May 20, 2022)— Water consumers along the North-northwest locations in Baguio City will continue to experience “low water pressure” to “limited to no water” during their water distribution schedules as workmen are on the double repairing road rehabilitation-damaged pipelines along Sofia de Veyra Street in Quezon Hill, the Baguio Water District

Unscheduled water service interruptions are expected to recur in areas of Quezon Hill and Fairview, following the incessant and untoward damages to BWD’s main distribution lines early this week, explained Engr. Salvador Royeca, general manager of the BWD.

A 4-inch main line was initially reported damaged along Sofia de Veyra Street on Tuesday evening affecting the water supply schedule, followed by another incident on Wednesday as four portions of the 6-inch mainline were again damaged during the road excavation activities.

Royeca is appealing to affected residents to extend their patience and understanding as the unscheduled interruptions in these identified supply areas are highly challenging but guarantees that BWD is on top of the situation.

“We are distressed with the difficulties caused not only to our operations but more especially to the strain dealt with by our consumers. Despite these untoward damages, rest assured that BWD set out its contingency measures to normalize the water distribution the soonest possible time.” GM Royeca said.
Around 1,600 active connections are affected due to the ongoing repair particularly in areas of Middle and Upper Quezon Hill (Chrome, Gold, Tin, Iron, Paraan, Abellera, Zarate, Paredes, Carantes, Arvisu, Ortega, and Delos Santos) Victoria Village, Parts of Tacay-Quezon Hill (Silver, Orchid, Camia, Copper, Sunnyside Fairview), 1st, 2nd and 3rd Road Quezon Hill, Lamug, Ponce St., Upper and Central Fairview, Golden Shower, and Lower Fairview.

Based on BWD records, its Construction and Maintenance Division has already attended to more than twenty pipeline repairs in that particular area alone since the implementation of the abovementioned road rehabilitation project in February 2022. However, despite the coordination with the contractor, pipeline damages continue to recur along the project area.

Meanwhile, BWD also noted that apart from the unscheduled water service interruptions resulting from damaged pipes, part of the various road improvement projects is also causing water quality problems in some areas due to entry of soil, sediments, and other debris into the pipeline before and during repair which results to turbid or dirty water supply. The district assures the public however, that the water passes through adequate treatment before distribution to the public.

Royeca encourages consumers to directly and immediately report water quality concerns to any of BWD’s 24/7 hotline numbers for appropriate action and monitoring.

BWD consumers who reside within the affected areas are temporarily advised to avail of BWD’s water delivery services if water supply remains to be limited.
Artemio A. Dumlao