EL NIDO, Palawan — The 6-hour emergency shutdown of this town’s water system on Tuesday was prompted by a minor electrical repair that needed to be done at the Maligaya pumping station facility, according to a local official.
“Kailangan din talaga minsan i-shashutdown sya para mapakapagpahinga upang di sya masisira. Kung hindi natin ito gagawin malamang masisira yong pumping station natin, mahirap na,” Rene Acosta, Municipal and Economic Development Enterprise Officer, told Palawan News.
Acosta also dismissed concerns that dark-colored water came out of the pipes when the water service was resumed, stating that it was only a temporary result of the shutdown.
“Normal lang po yon ma’am na magkakakulay itim po yong tubig natin after matapos yong mga ginagawa natin kasi po yan ay mga naestock sa mga pipes o daluyan ng tubig bale e-flush lang po nila yan, malinis at safe naman po talaga ang ating tubig at tested po yan,” he added.
The town’s water system is catering to some 500 concessionaires in four barangays around the town center.
Acosta also said that an additional pumping station and a water reservoir shall soon be put in placed in Sitio Bubulungan of Barangay Corong-Corong to extend the existing water services into the Meremegmeg area.
“Sa ngayon kasi hanggang Lugadia lang ng Brgy Corong-Corong ang ating water connections, so we will put there additional distribution lines para maka-avail din ang mga residents doon sa ating water system,“ he said.
The Bulalacao Water System is also expected to operate soon, augmenting the town’s water sources which has currently 3 pumping stations.
“Sa ngayon, 24/7 pa ang ating serbisyo pero kasi ngayon halos limited ang supply ng ating tubig, kaya kung masimulan na ang water system sa Bulalacao, ito na ang maging tugon sa mga kailangan nating tubig sa bayan,” Acosta said.
