ZCWD explains water rationing, new plant

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) -  Only a new water treatment plant can provide long term solutions to low water pressure and turbidity problems that prompted the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) to implement a citywide water rationing scheme.

ZCWD General Manager Chito Vasquez told the press briefing in City Hall yesterday that the firm is presently operating on only two water treatment plants constructed in 1980 and 1990.

He said both plants can only serve a total of 36,000 connections at 18,000 connections each, far below than the firm’s 54,000 connections at present, not counting the so-called secondary connections.

“Bien palta gayod el di aton produccion. Poreso necesita ya kita nuevo planta,” Vasquez said, explaining that a treatment plant is responsible for the production of clear and potable water.

He said for the month of October the level or amount of turbidity, the measure of water clarity (malubog in the vernacular) was too high between 1,500 and 1,800 as a result of soil erosion or landslide due to incessant rain in the watershed.

Vasquez, however, downplayed allegation that the so-called illegal treasure hunt or gold panning at the Pasonanca watershed area had caused the water supply to be murky.

He said the issue is under investigation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), particularly the Protected Area and Ecotourism Management Board (PAEMB).

“We are still waiting for the results or findings of that investigation before we take appropriate action,” he said.

The turbidity problem has prompted the ZCWD to ration the water supply to all its consumers and the rationing scheme will continue until the turbidity is back to normal 5 and below.

Vasquez said though as of 10 a.m. yesterday the turbidity was 5.5 and if it continues to normalize until Thursday, then the rationing scheme will then be lifted.

“But, again the long term solution is to construct a new treatment plant,” Vasquez insisted “No amount of gadget can ever cover up or substitute its operation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Vasquez announced that the ZCWD will embark on a P280 million project next year to change the old water pipes with new ones in a bid to reduce the system’s loss. It will also include the construction of a new treatment plant.

Another project is the pipe water system from the Ecozone in San Ramon down to the wharf. (Vic Larato)