• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental will experience water crisis in 2030, if the province’s water supply requirement will not be addressed by that time, according to the provincial government.
This was stated by Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, citing a study of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as the provincial government requested anew for a resolution of no objection (RONO) from the Silay City Council for the implementation of the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project (NBWSP).
The Imbang River in Silay City has been chosen as the venue for the project upon the recommendation of the consultants engaged by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and USAID.
The RONO is considered as an essential step towards implementing the NBWSP that aims to secure a clean, reliable, and long-term water supply for Negros Occidental.
“Our source of water, which is underground, is unreliable and contaminated, resulting in waterborne diseases,” Diaz said, during his third appearance before the Silay City Council on Oct. 27.
He added that the research of the provincial government is extensive and guided by the USAID hydrologic studies and the ADB feasibility studies.
Based on the studies, Diaz said Imbang River is “a good source of water because of its turbidity, there is not much pollutants, and the riverbanks are acting as shield from pollutants”.
As to the water availability during dry seasons, he noted that the “the weir is there to save as much water that can we use, without impeding the flow of water downstream.”
Diaz said the weir will elevate the water level, which will serve as a reservoir, and also improve the water availability.
As part of the requirements for securing the environmental compliance certificate, he said the provincial government is being required to take care of the watershed areas, which is going to be implemented to make sure that the water availability at Imbang or Hinalinan Rivers will not decrease.
Diaz further said the National Water Resources Board confirmed an excess of water supply that simply flows out to the sea unused.
“At the same time, the Capitol bulk water supply project is not merely about extracting water from the river, but strengthening or improving existing water resources,” he added.
Under the proposal, the NBWSP is targeting to supply water, being sourced out from Imbang-Hinalinan River, to the cities of Bacolod, Silay, and Talisay on its first phase.
Should this succeed, the second phase will supply E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, and Manapla with Malogo River as the source, Diaz said.
He added that on the part of Silay City, the Silay City Water District has already subscribed five million liters per day, and converted, that will benefit about 50,000 residents, who will have an access to potable treated water. | GB
