Cebu City to pursue plans to partner with private firms to build dams

Local

THE Cebu City Government is moving forward with plans to partner with private entities to build dams in the city's mountain barangays.

This initiative aims to address the increasing water demand and combat saltwater intrusion into the city's aquifers. The goal is to capture more rainwater, treat it into potable water, and supply it to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD).

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia highlighted that such a partnership would allow the city to store rainwater and enhance its capacity to meet water demands.

He pointed out that the city needs 500-550 million liters of water per day (MLD), but MCWD can only currently supply 200-250 MLD.

This water shortage has forced many residents to dig wells, a practice Garcia believes is contributing to the worsening saltwater intrusion problem.

Garcia explained that only about 10 percent of rainwater is retained, while the remaining 90 percent is wasted as it flows back into the sea.

He emphasized the importance of building dams to capture and store rainwater, while also considering desalination facilities to provide a quicker solution to the city’s water crisis.

This announcement follows a report from MCWD General Manager Edgar Donoso, which was submitted to the Cebu City Council on Nov. 13, 2024.

The report focused on the growing issue of saltwater intrusion. It identified several barangays, including Apas, Lahug, and Pasil, where groundwater has already become brackish.

A conductivity analysis of water samples from wells showed that some areas fall under the “mildly brackish” or “moderately brackish” categories, which can pose health risks as the salt levels increase.

Donoso also warned that if illegal groundwater extraction continues, saltwater intrusion could reach Barangay Talamban by 2030. MCWD has been monitoring groundwater levels closely and is advocating for stronger regulations to prevent the over-extraction of water by private entities.

In response, the Cebu City Council has called for an information campaign to raise awareness about the effects of saltwater intrusion and to increase efforts against illegal groundwater extraction.

Garcia voiced his support for halting groundwater extraction to prevent further saltwater intrusion, though he acknowledged that enforcing such a measure would be difficult.

He pointed out the significant gap between water supply and demand, with MCWD currently able to supply only 310,000 cubic meters per day of the 550,000 cubic meters needed.

“Where else will people get their water? From the ground?" the mayor said.

In light of this, MCWD is actively searching for alternative water sources.

Garcia reaffirmed the city government's openness to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for building more dams in the mountain barangays to capture and store rainwater for future use.

He also mentioned that desalination could offer a viable short-term solution.

Minerva Gerodias, spokesperson of MCWD, explained that while the agency monitors its own groundwater extraction, it faces challenges in regulating private wells.

She noted that MCWD does not have the legal authority to enforce regulations on private extractions and believes that the local government should take on this responsibility.(MyTVCebu)