Copy of Mr Crispin Young's writeup on the September 2007 Issue
of the Fil-Chinese Chamber Newsletter Vol. IV No. 9. Mr Young
represents the Business Sector in the BCWD Board of Directors.
Before the Butuan City Water District was organized, most of the
city's residents were getting their water supply from suppliers using water
tanks to deliver water fetched from free flowing wells at Km. 4 to Km. 7. That
was much better than when the residents were dependent on rain water which they
collected during downpours. The problem then was that when the water drains
were more or less permanently directed to the water tanks, the dust and other
grimes on the roof were carried into the tanks. One could just imagine what got
collected :inside dust, leaves, feathers of birds, droppings, and sometimes the
leftovers of food of cats. There would not have been much problem if the water
was boiled thoroughly to eliminate the bacteria or microbes there might be
before drinking. But when one is too lazy to clean the tank often enough,
imagine what one might discover inside - a thick later of slime, rotting
leaves, even dead birds or mice.
The water system then under the City Government used the Bonbon
Reservoir to store water from the springs found there. Later, when the Butuan
City Water District took over, deep wells were drilled and the water was pumped
directly into the water mains for distribution to end users. That was an
improvement because the number of concessionaires had increased tremendously.
However, the problem was the distribution pipes, most of which were vintage
1940. To remedy the situation, a loan was secured from the Local Water
Utilities Administration (LWUA). The first one dubbed Phase I, took care of
some of the deep wells and water mains that were needed. Still, the supply of
water was not enough because the number of connections kept on increasing. With
more and more connections being made, the water pressure correspondingly
reduced.
In order to answer the demand, a P550 million loan was secured, again
from LWUA. This was Phase II which included the tapping of the Taguibo River at
Iyao, Anticala with an Infiltration Gallery, the laying of 900 mm concrete
pipes from there to the Pressure Regulating Valves (PRV) at Taguibo, the laying
of 800 mm concrete pipes all the way down to Magsaysay Bridge, the reduction to
two 300 mm pipes to balance the load on the bridge and reuniting to form a 600
mm pipe laid along the center of the J C Aquino Avenue (Zamora St.) until just
in front of the CAP building near the DBP. A smaller 300 mm pipe line was
constructed from there to Libertad where smaller pipes were laid until
Dumalagan, passing Bancasi.
By July 2007, these pipes had all been flushed, disinfected and
activated save that after DBP. By the second week of September the last section
will likewise be activated. The old pipes have all been abandoned when the
distribution pipes were reconnected to the main lines. The problem that
resulted was the number of complaints about burst pipes and leaking
connections. Because when water carried by gravity from a high elevation at
Iyao, Anticala, and in spite of its reduction at the PRV, water pressure is
high so the homeowner ought to inspect the pipes within his property. Outside
of the water meter any leak or defect is the responsibility of the BCWD.
As for the quality of the water being distributed by BCWD, as
required by the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, water samples
are taken weekly at 52 stations for Bacteriological Analysis; and every six
months for Physical and Chemical Analysis. Chlorine is automatically injected
at 8 ppm at the PRV and tested weekly at 40 stations. At no time should the
residual chlorine be less than 0.2 ppm at the farthest end of the line such as
in Masao. Testing or Analysis is done at the Laboratory of the BCWD.
To allay the fears of people that the BCWD water might not be
potable or that the quality might be below par, we are quoting hereunder from
the August 30, 2007 Chemical Analysis of Trace Elements (mg/l): Chromium 0.00
(0.05); Copper 0.04 (l.0); Iron 0.01 (1.0); Manganese 0.2 (0.5). Those in
parenthesis are the allowable level per PNSDW. For Major Cations: Calcium 14
(75); Magnesium 3 (50). Major Anions: Chloride 12 (250); Sulfate 13 (250); and
Nitrates 1.3 (50). The above was as analyzed by Mychel Lynn F. Juma-ang, BCWD
Laboratory Technician. Sample Laboratory No. 07-08-565 Sample Source . Taguibo
River (raw water); Location . Infiltration Gallery, Sitio Iyao, Anticala,
Butuan City.
When the pressure in the pipes is strong, water from outside cannot
enter. It is only when the pipelines are empty and there are leaks that water
from the outside could possibly enter. As long as water can percolate to the
underground pipes at the Infiltration Gallery the pressure will be strong and
has to be reduced at the PRV. If ever water pressure is low at that point, the
deep wells would be operated to maintain the pressure. So on this point, the
entry of outside water is out of the question. On the other hand, the newly
installed pipes have been tested to qualify for Philippine Standard Testing,
and are guaranteed to last at least 50 years or more.
When Chlorine is injected at 8 ppm at the PRV, the Chlorine would
be detected by smell. But Chlorine is a volatile chemical and when exposed to
the air for say, 5 minutes, it evaporates. With the above facts, we dare say
that the water distributed by the Butuan City Water District is potable and
safe for cooking and for drinking. Just be sure that the instruments or
utensils used to contain the water are clean and safe as well.
Water, especially potable water, is a most precious gift from God
and should be taken care of. We should not waste it and we must protect it. We
should all join forces to protect our Watershed area at Taguibo from both
miners and illegal loggers. Any such intrusion would affect our source of water
and imperil our entire city population. We have to protect our ground water as
well. We should be careful with our use of chemicals and pesticides to prevent
seepage into our aquifers. Neither should unauthorized tapping of underground
water be allowed to such an extent that our aquifers could not replenish the
water with-drawn. This is important so that seawater could not intrude into the
aquifers and render our ground water salty.
With Global Warming now being felt by everyone, it is high time
that we take a good look at the condition of our forests. The loggers who
wantonly destroyed our rain forests in their quest for quick fortunes have
denuded most of our perishable treasure. The way they cut the trees left no
chance for natural regeneration. No mother trees were spared to spread their
seeds for future generation. A no nonsense reforestation should be undertaken
to restock our forests. We need trees to protect our environment, conserve our
topsoil, reduce floods and to supply our aquifers with water. Again there is
mining which is touted to be the biggest possible dollar earner; but mining is
an even more destructive industry. To get to the ores, in the guise of clearing
a road, clear cutting of trees is the rule. A mountain or hill is laid bare,
without any trees to prevent erosion. Even without a processing plant,
pollution results. Silt is carried down the rivers, covering and killing our
coral reefs which are supposed to be the sanctuary of our fishes and other
marine animals. If we allow this to happen, pity our generation and the
generations to come.
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