Continuous rains boost Iloilo’s water supply

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Residents of Iloilo City and surrounding areas are seeing significant improvements in their water supply, thanks to continuous rains that have raised water levels in key sources.

In a statement, water distributor Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) reported that Maasin Dam’s water level increased from 93.62 meters to 94.79 meters, boosting the water supply to almost 80 million liters per day (MLD), surpassing the normal requirement for MPIW customers.

The Maasin dam is the main source of Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corp., which is one of MPIW’s bulk water suppliers.

The ongoing rains have provided much-needed relief following the challenges posed by the El Niño phenomenon, which has led to reduced water availability and an alternate-day water supply schedule.

With El Niño weakening and more rains anticipated by June 2024, the situation is set to improve further, MPIW noted.

Starting Wednesday, May 29, 2024, MPIW is implementing network adjustments to balance the increased water supply to its customers with active service connections.

These adjustments will result in the cessation of the alternate days water supply schedule, ensuring that customers will have water available for a certain period each day.

A new supply schedule, which will benefit Iloilo City the most, will be announced today, May 30

“We are pleased to inform our customers that the water supply situation is improving. Continuous rains have significantly raised water levels, allowing us to provide a more consistent supply,” MPIW said in the same statement.

Despite these improvements, some areas may still experience low water pressure due to pipeline conditions, elevation, and location.

MPIW said it is actively working on calibrating and enhancing these conditions to ensure fair water distribution.

“Our team is dedicated to addressing these challenges and improving our network to ensure everyone gets adequate water supply,” the water utility added.

As part of its short-, medium- and long-term strategies, MPIW has embarked on several projects aimed at reducing water losses and securing sustainable sources.

The short-term strategy includes recovery of 15 MLD through pipe rehabilitations and the use of advanced technologies such as Sahara Mobile Leak Detection, Tyfo-Fibre Wrap Technology, and Data Loggers.

The development of a 60.5 MLD desalination plant, which began pre-development in January 2024, is part of the medium-term plan, while securing sustainable water sources within the Visayas region for the long term.

“These projects demonstrate our commitment to improving water services and addressing supply challenges,” MPIW emphasized.

MPIW urges residents to stay updated on the new water supply schedule by checking their social media pages or contacting customer service lines.