MIWD: Supply is now normal

 

Health officers: Boil water first

After eight months and two weeks of anticipation, consumers of the Metro Iloilo Water District can now enjoy continuous water supply from their faucets because the 25-cubic-meter bulk water supply from a contractor is now operational.

Engr. Pablo Bercilla, MIWD interim general manager revealed that contractor FloWater Resources has started commissioning water at 7 p.m. of February 14.

Though there were minor problems encountered during the initial operation, Bercilla assured the public of smooth water flow starting this week.

CAUSE OF DELAY

Dr. Rogelio Florete Sr., president of FloWater said the project’s operations were delayed due to weather disturbances and due to refinement in their facilities.

He said the delay has cost them P8 million and the death of three personnel.

Florete said it took them two months to find a perfect place for the water treatment facility. He said they had to convert an agricultural land in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan into an industrial site.

He said, albeit expensive, they are using spiral steel pipes with one-meter opening to prevent people from stealing the pipes and to make them ideal for upgrade.

The complexities of the operation have claimed the lives of three personnel – one drowned while two were electrocuted.

Florete said the family of the victims were given burial and financial assistance.

SOURCES

FloWater has two water connections. There’s Injection Point No. 2 located in Brgy. Tacas, Jaro district constructed in partnership with Prime Waters Venture and there’s the Injection Point No. 3 in Leganes, Iloilo, a venture with Solerex Water Technologies.

NO RATE INCREASE

Meanwhile, MIWD’s general manager Le Jayme Jalbuena said there will be no increase in water rates.

One cubic meter of water will cost residential consumers P15.90 and commercial consumers P31.80.

They also aim to double their current service connections.

They will also re-connect the 2,000 concessionaires who earlier had their lines cut due to poor water delivery.

This year, they expect additional 10,000 customers apart from their current 31,439 service connections in Iloilo City and other neighboring municipalities.

BOIL WATER FIRST

Meanwhile, the City Health Office (CHO) advised residents to boil water coming out from faucets of MIWD before drinking for safety precautions.

CHO chief Urminico Baronda reiterated the health advisory until the issuance of results of new tests to be conducted today.

MIWD noted that the start of initial operation of bulk water supply project may make water a bit turbid while flushing and disinfection of pipelines are ongoing.

They also recommended boiling the water for drinking while they are in the process of cleaning the distribution lines.* with reports from ICPIO