BACOLOD CITY – PrimeWater Infrastructure Inc. has unveiled two projects to bolster the water supply of households in the northern part of this city by a total of four million liters per day (MLD).
The groundbreaking of the Forbes Hill Water Source Interconnection and the Highland Hills projects was held on Tuesday, April 16.
TWO projects by PrimeWater Infrastructure Inc. hope to boost water supply in Barangays Eroreco, Bata, Mandalagan, Granada, and Vista Alegre in Bacolod City. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod PIO)
In a radio interview, Mona Dia Jardin, general manager of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), said that per technical report, the projects can serve around 2,000 residential houses.
Each of the water project aims to deliver an additional two MLD of water supply to residents of Barangays Eroreco, Bata, Mandalagan, Granada, and Vista Alegre.
This is on top of the water rationing program initiated by the city government to aid residents with supplemental water supply amid the water shortage caused by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has expressed dismay over the performance of PrimeWater amid the water crisis here.
In a press briefing on Monday, April 15, Benitez said that PrimeWater failed to follow the provision in their joint venture agreement (JVA) with Baciwa which states that “within five years from 2020, the private firm should ensure consumers enjoy a 24-hour uninterrupted water supply by the end of the second year.”
“So obviously, this provision has not been complied,” Benitez said, adding that only 55 percent of the population are being served by PrimeWater while others are waterless.
Benitez directed Baciwa to submit a water security plan which does not only address the effects of El Niño, but overall planning perspective when it comes to water supply, including a buffer in case of emergency.
Baciwa-PrimeWater confirmed a water shortage of 20 MLD here and the supply further decreased by 12 percent or 15 MLD due to the dry spell.
Jardin said they are trying their best to cope up with the problem on water supply.
She said that PrimeWater is doing some steps to address the water shortage here, adding that the firm is even planning to rent additional water trucks to augment the delivery of water supply in this city.