DUE to the success of its two well-drilling operations, the Baguio Water District (BWD) is optimistic about the future of its water supply augmentation initiatives.
Based on a recent pumping test, BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador Royeca informed Mayor Benjamin Magalong that the deep well dug in Gibraltar barangay yielded a very high output.
On February 15, 2023, the Gibraltar 2 Parallel Well Drilling Project officially began.
Another newly drilled deep well at Kennon Road known as the Zigzag Production Well Drilling Project which started on Feb. 22, 2023, has also shown promise of a productive yield. It is now 81 percent complete.
Once commissioned, these wells will augment the water supply in segment areas served by the district in their locations.
The district earlier reported improved water distribution service or an upgrade from a twice-a-week to a thrice-a-week supply schedule in four segment areas beginning Aug. 15, 2023.
QM and Legarda and San Vicente and Balsigan segments benefited from the commissioning of the Amparo 6 deep well located in Amparo Heights Subdivision, Camp 7 on April 8, 2023, and the activation of the BGH booster on May 28, 2023.
Royeca said these projects are just some of the district’s water supply augmentation and development projects lined up “to reduce the impact of the pronounced 2024 El Niño phenomenon.”
He said three more well drilling projects are in the pipeline – the Montinola drilling project at Kisad Road, the South Drive 2 which will undergo multiple pumping after completion to augment the supply of Honeymoon-Holyghost barangay, and the Richwood project which is now 45.79 percent complete and will benefit the subdivision at Easter Road-Guisad as well as the adjacent barangays like Quirino Hill, Pinget and Quezon Hill.
“A potential drilling site along Balacbac is also being evaluated which will provide additional supply to areas served by the Km. 8 reservoir,” the district informed.
If realized, these new water sources will augment the water supplied to nearby or surrounding areas, the BWD added.
The district said that as of June 30, 2023, it is operating a total of 77 pumping stations, four open sources, and two rainwater harvesting facilities installed in strategic locations to serve a total of 46,726 active connections. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
