KABACAN, Cotabato Province (PIA) — The Kabacan Water District (KWD) assured its concessionaires that, despite the challenge of water shortages during peak hours, it is strengthening its efforts to provide quality service.
General Manager Ferdie Mar S. Balungay stated in a recent episode of the PIA Talakayang Dose radio program that Kabacan’s peak hours are between 6:00 and 8:00 in the morning, when students, farmers, and other individuals are simultaneously using water for cooking and preparing for work.
This results in low water pressure, especially in Barangay Poblacion and nearby barangays.
“Marami po tayong ginagawa ngayon kagaya no’ng improving the carrying capacity of our pipelines,” Balungay said.
(We are currently doing a lot of things, such as improving the carrying capacity of our pipelines.)
The KWD is adjusting the diameter of pipes in populated barangays of Kabacan, where most boarding houses are located, due to university town status.
The official also reported 80 percent completion of a deep well in Barangay Katidtuan, aiming to prepare the water district for increasing demand for water supply.
“One of our strategic goals is dapat there is a sufficient quantity ng tubig na pwede nating ibigay anytime sa ating mga consumer,” Balungay said.
Balungay is also optimistic that the water district will implement a reservoir project next year to further prepare it for its goal of providing sufficient water.
At present, the Kabacan Water District supplies more or less 9,900 households in 20 barangays of Kabacan, which includes three barangays that are now under the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Meanwhile, the Kabacan Water District also performs tests to ensure water quality and potability for safe public consumption.
Balungay stated that one of the district’s main objectives is to ensure water quality through the use of additional filters.
He said KWD always strives to meet the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water despite the challenge of water discoloration.
“We are submitting, on a monthly basis, bacteriological testing of our water. This is required by our Local Water Utilities Administration per area and per number of population,” he pointed out.
According to him, the KWD conducts physical and chemical testing of water samples every semester to rule out problems in water quality, as the municipality relies heavily on deep well waters, with the deepest being at 100 meters and the shallowest being at 70 meters. (SJDM – PIA Cotabato Province)
