MIWD braces for water shortage
The Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) has assured residents in its concession areas that programs are currently implemented to eliminate the possibility of a water supply crisis.
Edwin Reyes, MIWD interim general manager, made the assurance amidst fear of water supply shortage in the face of on-going El Niño phenomenon.
Reyes stressed that MIWD is presently working on the de-siltation of basin 1 of its reservoir in Barangay Talanghauan, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. Desilting involves the removal of silt from the basin in order to increase its storage capacity. By January, MIWD will schedule, too, the desilting of its sedimentation basin in Barangay Buntalan, Maasin, Iloilo and the construction of riverbank protection to prevent clogging of silts in the structure of the dam.
He added that the Water District has completed rehabilitation of seven deep well sources and will soon activate its production well in Pumping Station No. 2 in San Jose, San Miguel, Iloilo.
He also pointed out that the MIWD is currently undertaking a P207-million water supply improvement and rehabilitation project that will address the problem of leakages resulting to non-revenue water.
At the same time, he urged Water District consumers to be conscientious in using water and make water conservation a way of life.
Meanwhile, Reyes disclosed that the MIWD is also planning to engage in a bulk water supply agreement, either through the funding of the government or a private sector participation in anticipation of the growing water demand requirement of service area coverage as a consequence of its rapid growth and development.