By CESAR JOLITO III

Around 40 percent of consumers of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. are currently experiencing reduced or intermittent water supply as the utility grapples with a growing water deficit caused by the ongoing dry spell and pipeline leakages.

Baciwa officer-in-charge Engineer Michael Soliva said the utility’s available water production reached only 90 million liters per day (MLD) as of May 19, leaving a deficit of about 30 MLD against current demand.

“The water supply is very unstable,” Soliva said, citing the effects of prolonged dry weather conditions that have significantly affected water production from several sources.

Soliva said the shortage has affected approximately 28,000 consumers out of the more than 70,000 households and establishments being served by Baciwa-PrimeWater.

Only around 60 to 70 percent of consumers currently receive uninterrupted 24-hour water service.

Among the areas experiencing the most severe supply interruptions are coastal barangays, as well as Barangays Taculing and Villamonte.

Aside from reduced water production due to the dry spell, Soliva said leaks in the distribution network continue to contribute to water loss and supply instability.

He noted that water shortages during summer are a recurring concern for the utility.

To help augment supply, PrimeWater has reactivated four deep wells.

Soliva assured consumers that Baciwa is coordinating closely with PrimeWater to address the issue, adding that pipeline rehabilitation projects are ongoing to minimize leaks and improve water distribution across affected areas./CJ, WDJ