Coastal town’s potable water threatened by saltwater intrusion

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Hundreds of households in the poblacion or center of the coastal town of Cauayan in southern Negros Occidental are complaining of lack of potable water due to saltwater intrusion into their wells.

But Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara told reporters though that this may soon be over as the municipal government is looking into it.

He said this perennial problem of saltwater intrusion into the water system managed by the local government unit will be resolved soon.

Tabujara said the problem affects 400 to 500 households in barangays Isio and Tiling.

“They are facing problems on the lack of potable water due to saltwater intrusion in deep wells,” he said.

Tabujara also reported the discovery of coliform bacteria in 20 of the 100 deep wells tested in the town.

The rehabilitation of the water system is among the priorities of the mayor who earned his second term in the 2022 elections said.

To address the lack of potable water, Tabujara said he is seeking the cooperation of the newly elected members of the Sangguniang Bayan in securing a loan of P50 million to P100 million from the Development Bank of Philippines.

He further said that a feasibility study has already been done on the rehabilitation of the town water system. They are eyeing spring water sources or water purification process through reverse osmosis.

Rehabilitating the water system will also generate income for the municipal government, since he expects more residents to avail of its services, the mayor pointed out.

The water system rehabilitation is eyed by early next year he said.