PrimeWater and Bago City Water District (BACIWAD) are set to break ground on and commence the development of a new water source project for the BACIWAD service area, aiming to boost water supply and enhance pressure across multiple barangays in the city.
The new deep well, named Villa Lolita New Source Development and situated in San Esteban Village, Bago City, Negros Occidental, is poised to augment the water supply by introducing an extra 1.5 million liters daily (MLD) for barangays in Balingasag, Lag-asan, and Poblacion, where customers can anticipate an improvement in their water pressure.
“The addition of this new water source will undoubtedly assist our consumers in meeting the increased demand for water supply across different barangays. This initiative represents PrimeWater and BACIWAD’s ongoing commitment to improving daily water supply and ensuring potable water accessibility in all areas we serve,” says PrimeWater Bago City Branch Manager Rochelle Garaygay.
Nearly 600 linear meters of new transmission lines were installed to effectively distribute the added supply from the source development to different barangays. Additionally, some transmission lines will be replaced with larger pipes to accommodate increased volume and water pressure for concessionaires’ usage in PrimeWater’s future projects.
As the El Niño phenomenon persists, numerous provinces in the Visayas region have been facing the challenges of the dry season. Negros Occidental stands out as the sole province classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as experiencing drought, with rainfall remaining below 60 percent of the average for three consecutive months.
In 2023, more than 800 leaks were addressed using advanced technologies such as acoustic sensors and ultrasonic flowmeters, effectively minimizing water losses by detecting irregularities in noise and flow volume within the water distribution network, in addition to regular assessment and monitoring of pipeline conditions.
“Given the reduced likelihood of rainfall, we must strategize efforts such as seeking additional water sources to ensure the continuity of the reliable service we provide to our concessionaires,” concludes Garaygay.
