San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo and officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) inspected the ongoing upgrading and rehabilitation of the existing Medina water treatment plant, worth P31 million, in Barangay Rizal Aug. 28.
The design and build upgrading, funded under the 20 percent development fund of the city for 2023 and 2024, started April 1, 2024 and will end this October, undertaken by the Mactan Rock Industries Inc., based in Lapu-lapu, Cebu.
“We are making significant strides in addressing our water supply needs,” Gustilo said in a statement Aug. 29, adding that the project will play a pivotal role “in ensuring that our city’s water supply remains safe and reliable.”
The upgraded plant, with a capacity of five million liters per day and the ability to manage high turbidity levels, will significantly improve water quality in some barangays of San Carlos, the mayor stressed. “I’m glad to see this upgrade getting completed, as it will help us address long-standing water supply issues.”
City Waterworks Department (CWD) head, Engr. Edward Sanchez, said the project aims to improve water safety and supply for San Carlos City, and ensures that it meets the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for drinking water.
San Carlos operates 16 water systems across all barangays, with a Level 3 water system integrating multiple sources. Among these, the Medina Water Treatment Plant plays a crucial role as a significant contributor, the city said in a press release.
The initiative includes critical measures, such as turbidity monitoring and chlorine residual testing to ensure the safety and quality of water supply.
Wilfredo Serano, clarifier project supervisor of Mactan Rock Industries Inc., said the project is made of metal and the materials used are up to standard, assuring that the project will last for many years to come.
USAID officials also visited the Baticulan pump station to observe the proper chlorination process and the progress made at the upgraded water treatment plant.
The agency played a crucial role in the project by providing technical assistance, specifically in refining chlorination techniques and identifying necessary system upgrades, the city said.
Sanchez also said that with the USAID’s guidance, the plan ensures that water supplied by the CWD meets the PNS for drinking water, fulfilling the mission to provide a safe, drinkable, affordable, sufficient, and reliable water supply for the city. ||
