BWD ADDRESSES POSSIBLE IMPACT OF EL NIÑO, CALLS FOR WATER CONSERVATION

January 20, 2024 Environment Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

With the onset of the dry season, along with the possible impact of El Niño, the Baguio Water District (BWD) is undertaking contingency measures to address the artificial water shortage
especially with the continuing influx of visitors to the city. BWD General Manager Salvador Royeca announced in a Kapihan media forum here on Wednesday (January 17) that they are doing actions to address the concern on the drying up of water sources, and to ensure continuing delivery of safe potable water to the people of Baguio.

And as BWD works on balancing and smooth flow of water distribution to its concessionaires, the water company also calls for water conservation to lower the water demand. “Magtulungan tayo (Let us help each other),” Royeca said. To augment the water supply in the southern portion of the city , Royeca reported that the BWD is implementing the Ramsey 2 and the Montinola Kisad drilling projects that started in November last year, and the Balacbac drilling project that
commenced this January 11.

He also shared that the BWD is piloting a project on artificial recharge water source at the city’s watersheds. The BWD is also encouraging the use of rain catchment facilities to homeowners and to commercial establishments. As of December 31, 2023, BWD operates a total of 63 deep wells, 77 pumping stations, four spring sources, and two rainwater catchment facilities serving a total of
48,450 active connections. Royeca assured that BWD’s water supply is clean and safe.

The water they distribute to consumers is are verified free from any contaminant, especially
coliform organisms We are here to protect the welfare of our customers; it is our moral obligation to see to it that our water supply is potable”, Royeca stressed. The BWD has a Water Safety Plan that confers to the Philippine Standards for Drinking Water. The BWD water is potable from the
distribution line up to the meter, beyond it – if there is contamination in the consumer waterlines and water tanks, it is now beyond their control, he said.

(JDP/ CCD-PIA CAR)