Pressure surge after the injection of water from the Lapu-Lapu and Montible rivers is the cause of the sudden occurrence of brown water coming out of the pipes of the city water district.
Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) spokesperson Jenn Rausa said Wednesday in an interview with Palawan News that they have decided to source water out from Lapu-Lapu and Montible rivers to increase pressure.
Residents started observing the brown discoloration of water on Tuesday, April 14.
“Kung mapapansin natin, noong mga nakaraang araw ay halos sobrang hina ng pressure sa mga gripo natin. Even sa mainline ay mahina talaga ang pressure ng tubig to the point na zero pressure tayo,” she said .
“Yong pag-inject ng Lapu-Lapu source natin ay tumaas ang pressure ng tubig, biglaang tumaas kaya na-disturb ang mga pipe natin. Ang tendency kapag na-disturb ang pipe sa halos ilang linggo o ilang araw na walang dumadaloy na tubig sa pipes ay nagkakaroon ng residue,” Rausa added.
Sediments or residues that accumulated over time, she said mixed with the water and caused the brown discoloration.
Rausa said injection from the Lapu-Lapu and Montible water sources increased production to 800 cubic meters per hour.
“Malakas yon parang kasing lakas ng Campo Uno during normal operations,” she said.
However, Rausa said even if they inject water from their additional sources, it does not signify that water rationing will be lifted soon.
“Hindi pa rin natin ma-i-lift, as of now, since mga unang araw pa lang ito ng additional source natin at yong cloud seeding natin kasi di pa rin visible yong effect nya sa water source natin sa Irawan. Ngayon ay under monitoring and observation yong source natin,” she said.
Rausa said that the PPCWD has deployed their flushing team in the area on Tuesday night after complaints increased with the observed color of the water.
She said that this is observed in the households even in the Poblacion area.
Rausa said if the brownish color of the water is still observed, she suggested that it is better to close the faucets while there are no changes yet.
“Ang suggestion ko ay wag na lang muna nila buksan ang gripo nila kasi iikot yong bill, iikot yong metro. Kung malawak yong sakop ng pipes na medyo marumi pa yong supply ng tubig o medyo brownish pa, talagang wala mangyayari don kung nakabukas ang gripo nila,” she said.
Rausa said that it is better to reach their hotlines to inform them about the condition of their water supply so PPCWD could do the flushing.
“I-report lang nila sa amin pero wag lang nila iinumin. Hindi naman daw yan totally delikado pero wag na lang inumin. Kung sensitive ang skin, wag na lang ipaligo, pwede rin naman yan ipanghugas ng sasakyan o ipandilig,” she said.
“Kung magtuloy-tuloy ang supply ng tubig, kaya naman yan ng flushing ngayong araw kakayanin kung tuloy-tuloy ang pressure ng tubig. Kung mahina ang pressure ng tubig, parang di rin ganoon magiging effective ang flushing,” she added.
The updated hotline numbers of PPCWD are 0929-890-4406 and 0999-705-0761 for Smart and Talk N Text and 0917-310-5282 and 0966-483-8505 for Globe and TM.
