LWUA, MIWD identify Jalaur River as long-term water source
In the face of the intensifying water crises, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Metro Iloilo Water District, have identified the Jalaur River as their long-term waters source for Iloilo.
Jalaur River is second largest river in Panay and 17th largest river system in the country, in terms of size in drainage basin. Its estimated drainage area is 1, 503 square kilometers and travels 123 kilometers from its source to its mouth in the Guimaras strait.
Records show that Jalaur drains the eastern portion of Panay and traverses through Passi City, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan, dingle, Duenas and Calinog.
Meanwhile, in his recent report, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 6 Manager Edilberto Lomigo said they have a P10-billion special project which is the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) Stage II.
The project which is set for completion by 2015, involves the construction of a 145-meter high arch dam across the Jlaur river in central Panay to store water for year round irrigation of 36,000 hectares rice land, for power generation of 20 megawatts capacity, and for municipal and industrial water for Metro Iloilo.
LWUA Board Chair Prospero Pichay said during a meeting with MIWD Board and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas that he will be sending an expert to help MIWD with its short and long-term plan to solve the water crisis in Iloilo.
Pichay is also sending a team to inspect water pipes using instruments that can detect leaks.
The MIWD's short-term programs include establishing district metering zones to address its problem on non-revenue water or systems loss, and having more water wells in the towns of Oton and San Miguel for an additional 20,000 cubic meters of water daily.
To date, MIWD has completed about P887-million worth of projects ranging from the improvement of facilities, installation of additional pipelines and rehabilitation of water services, since it started the work in 1987. (PIA6/ESS)