Water shortage feared in Surigao, local water district urges Surigaonons to conserve water ~ SURIGAO Today

Water shortage feared in Surigao, local water district urges Surigaonons to conserve water

Surigaonons may experience severe water problems due to the aggravating impacts of dry season. This was the warning issued by Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) Gen. Manager Benjamin Ensomo, Jr. recently.

In a press statement, Ensomo urged the water concessionaires in the city to conserve water amid the alarming level of the Parang-parang Watershed.

"Our water supply has already reached a critical level. Consumers can experience a very low water supply to no water at all. We have already tapped other creeks like the Mabini creek, Kanmahat creek and Parang-parang gamay as our alternative sources of water but still not enough for our growing consumers,” said Ensomo.

Among those severely affected include Luna to Trinidad, Acean Heights Subdivision, Mabua-Ipil-Lipata-Punta Bilar, Sabang 3, Togbongon to Mat-I, Cagniog, Capitol Area, Surigao High, Espina Village and Silay Hills.

According to Ensomo, water supply can no longer penetrate to these areas because of low water pressure. Ensomo, however said that they have started rationing water to these areas to cope with the persistently low water level during nighttime.

The 967 hectare Parang-parang Watershed, plus the three creeks and a reservoir in Ceniza Subdivision supply potable water to roughly 16,000 consumers in the city. Right now, they are considering the Surigao River as another alternative source of water.

Ensomo also cited the alarming water level of Parang-parang Watershed is partly attributed to illegal logging and small scale mining.

He then urged all affected sectors to cooperate “and help us in water conservation efforts.” (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: if only the SMWD would and be open in tapping the resources of Lake Mainit to address the incessant problem of water shortage and supply with just one major investment (Feasibility Studies points out that is economically doable)and that is the suggestion made by putting a 200+MW hydrolectric dam that will address the problem of water supply in and around the province of Surigao augmented by the watersheds that are located in both provinces (agusan dN)... then this will be a bygone problem... not only will it address the issue of water supply but also the electrical power needs of both provinces and more...even the constant flooding that stunts the livelihood in and around the lake will also be a thing of the past while contributing to a more consistent farming (rice) methods with a steady and cheaper supply of water and electricity as the construction of this (Hydro-electric)dam is a one time deal ...and another plus for Surigao!!- is the air/environment quality that we surigaonons are concerned and clamoring to be a reality ..translation everyone's happy and for Surigaonon's benefit...; September 28, 2010 at 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...: I hate to say it but i told you so..
There is not enough foresters and forest-rangers keeping watch of our watershed. The most important resource more important than all mineral resources is water, yet unscrupulous and greedy gold miners are destroying the watersheds and poisoning our water supply with chemicals like cyanide and mercury.; September 28, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Anonymous said...: I HOPE THE MAYOR OF MAINIT AND HIS COUNCIL WILL READ THIS CAUSE THEY ARE FOR PROGRESS AND IT IS ALREADY PROVEN. LOOK AT THEIR LAKE MAINIT RESORT. IT IS A PLACE TO DIE FOR. ALL MAYORS OF SURIGAO SHOULD FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND VISIBILITY. CONGRATS MAYOR FOR JOB WILL DONE.; September 28, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Anonymous said...: ...adding, while the (local) mayors in and around the lake can join hands with this endeavor, it will be a force to reckon with if all mayors of the provinces of Surigao del norte and Sur as well as of the entire caraga region will join hands to petition the national government thru its regional department of Energy, Natural Resources and make the appropriate recommendation for funding (either in the form of a WB loan or Build-Operate-Transfer criterion) and a thorough impact study (feasibility, both economic and environmental)which could be passed on as part of an electorial Referendum or Proposition so no one can lay 'claim nor blame' if it passes the majority...in other words, if it's a boon or a boom we all celebrate or suffer its doom... another view is to corral ( to put it mildly, hehehe, so to speak)the said area similar to the mindoro tamaraw reservation and introduce a quasi-autonomous region that entitles itself to self-governance and lay out a one-stop, one-shop bureau but still patterned or in-parallel with the national government but on a smaller scale. this will simplify procedures and regulations rather than complicate one, in political science parlance, red-tape is virtually nil.
i made these suggestions to the LMDA of mainit and it seems like Australia has set its foot on the very doorstep that we try to protect and holler and rant and gripe, but, believe me, all i can say is that we all had to be 'wary' of any nation who wants to give us aid as these "aids" have cables if not chains attached to it....; September 30, 2010 at 5:30 AM

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