DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Water District said there is a need for the city’s ground water to take a break and the P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Project will protect the city’s aquifers.
Atty. Bernard Delima, DCWD spokesperson, said there are indications that Davao City’s groundwater supply is being over extracted.
“There is really a need to rest our groundwater.” Delima said in a Philippine Information Agency dispatch.
The project which is set to be operational in 2019, entails DCWD buying water from Apo Agua who will deliver about 300 million liters of water per year at a buying price of P12.25 per cubic meter.
The Tamugan River will be utilized as source of the surface water for the project. P10-billion will be spent on part A of the project, which will involve the development of the treatment plant and other facilities in the Tamugan River, while the P2-billion will be spent on part B which will establish the reservoir.
Delima said that Tamugan’s water is of good quality similar to Dumoy aquifer because of its clarity and taste. Dumoy water has been dubbed as the world’s second best water.
Apo Agua is a joint venture between the Aboitiz Equity Ventures and J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation.
Bobby Orig, first vice-president for Mindanao of Aboitiz Power said the plant is the first in the country to have a power plant constructed for the treatment plant. The two megawatt hydro power plant will just be enough to power the facilities.
He also said that the water will flow to the pipes through gravity, rather than being pumped by pumping stations. DCWD is paying P400 million per year in power costs majority of which is consumed by the pumping stations.
“In case of brown-outs, the plant will still deliver water,” Orig said.
Delima said they are finalizing the key points being agreed with the Watershed Management Council before it will be passed to the Davao City Council for approval. (davaotoday.com)
