• CHERYL G. CRUZ
PrimeWater Bacolod said Aug. 7 that it has received reports of water discoloration in barangays Alijis, Sum-ag, Tangub, and nearby areas, and is sorry “for the inconvenience”.
“The incident (of water discoloration) was a result of our water balancing initiatives where ongoing efforts are made to enhance water distribution and service reliability across Bacolod,” the company said in a statement.
This technical process involves regulating and adjusting pressure and flow across the network to ensure a more equitable supply, PrimeWater said, adding that an initial valve adjustment was carried out Aug. 4 to improve water availability in portions of the southern areas of Bacolod.
“To resolve the situation, flushing operations are being carried out nightly to restore water quality, and further valve adjustments in the area have been temporarily suspended,” it added. “PrimeWater remains committed to providing reliable and safe water to our consumers. We appreciate the public’s understanding as we work to resolve this issue and enhance our operations.”
The company issued the statement after the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod unanimously approved two resolutions Aug. 6, urging Baciwa-PrimeWater to address the complaints of numerous residents on “dark, smelly, and contaminated water coming out of their faucets” the past days, and to prioritize and swiftly address concerns on the sufficiency and sustainability of clean water supply in the city.
“There have been numerous complaints from residents in several areas of Bacolod, particularly in almost all numbered barangays (and in) Taculing, Singcang, Sum-ag, Mansilingan, Banago, Cabug, Pahanocoy, Tangub, Alijis, and Bata, (on) instances of dark-colored, foul-smelling, and potentially contaminated water flowing from their faucets in recent days,” Councilor Caesar Distrito said in his resolution.
The presence of such water raises serious public health concerns due to the heightened risk of waterborne illnesses and other sanitation-related diseases that could affect children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations, Distrito, chairperson of the SP committees on Ways and Means, and on PWD Affairs, stressed.
He added that Baciwa-PrimeWater, as the official water utility service provider in the City, has the primary responsibility of providing uninterrupted, safe, and potable water, in compliance with national water safety standards and regulatory guidelines.
“The absence of a comprehensive explanation from Baciwa-PrimeWater has led to growing anxiety among the public, thereby necessitating transparency and accountability on the part of the service provider,” Distrito said.
Councilor Roberto Rojas, chairperson of the SP Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, also stressed that a “reliable and sufficient supply of clean water is vital for the health, sanitation, and overall wellbeing of the residents of Bacolod”.
Baciwa-PrimeWater, as the primary water service provider in Bacolod, has the responsibility of ensuring the continuous and adequate supply of safe and clean water to all households and establishments within its franchise area, he added in his resolution.
In Nov. 2020, the Bacolod City Water District and the Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. entered into a 25-year joint venture agreement “to provide potable, reliable, and sustainable water supply and services to its service areas”.
But calls for the termination of the JVA have snowballed, following the company’s reported failure to ensure potable and sufficient supply of water.
“Numerous Bacolod residents and establishments have expressed concerns over the insufficient water supply, interruptions, and the need for improved service delivery,” Rojas said, as he stressed “the critical importance of resolving water supply issues to promote public health, economic stability and overall urban development.” | CGC
