Water Supply for Sorsogon City Continues Despite Typhoon Bising; SCWD, PRIMEWATER, AWC SUSTAIN ZERO DAMAGE

SCWD concessionaires enjoyed sufficient water supply at the height of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) ‘BISING’ between April 18 to April 20 when Sorsogon City was placed under Tropical Cycle Wind Signal # 2 while the entire SCWD water system sustained zero damage in the aftermath of the first tropical cyclone which passed the City of Sorsogon in 2021.

This resulted from the immediate and preemptive action of the SCWD Management led by Interim General Manager Engr. Eduardo P. Tejada who, as early as April 13, has made rounds in pumping stations to ascertain its sustained operation amid the expected effect of ‘BISING.’ IGM Tejada re-iterated his instruction to maintain the operation of all water sources using alternative power once the electricity from the local electric cooperative becomes unstable or is totally unavailable.

By April 16, PrimeWater has completely prepositioned diesel fuel, granular chlorine, batteries and other supplies sufficient for a three-day continuous operation in all pumping stations. SCWD also assured the Sorsogon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) – in an emergency ZOOM meeting in preparation for the possible effect of ‘BISING’ – of its readiness to supply water during the impending typhoon.

Normal water supply was thus maintained in the 34 SCWD-served barangays as all pumping stations were operated using stand-by generator sets. To offset the deficit on the bulk water supply due to highly turbid conditions of Cawayan River brought by heavy rains, the Abejo Waters Corp. –SCWD’s bulk water provider – operated the St. Raphael Pumping Station at Bgry. Pangpang using its stand-by generator set.

Sorsogon City Mayor Ma. Ester E. Hamor ordered the work suspension in the morning of April 19 to ensure the safety of all Sorsogueños. But AWC and PrimeWater’s pump operators stayed put in their respective stations, guaranteeing steady supply for residents who stayed at home.

The newly-relocated portion of the 6” diameter Macabog Line at Sitio Tinago, Brgy. San Juan (East District) also had its first real test in ‘BISING.’ During previous typhoons, the Macabog Line is often washed away by heavy flooding and water supply to the city’s major barangays is abruptly cut off. This time, the new 6” GI pipeline withstood the wrath of ‘BISING’ and the water flow was uninterrupted.

And when the storm steered clear of Sorsogon City in the early hours of April 20, none of water sources facilities, storage facilities, transmission lines, distribution lines and service connections sustained damages.

The recent accomplishment of SCWD and its partners confirmed that, in times of disaster, PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEY. And with their resounding success in overcoming the challenges brought by ‘BISING’ by ensuring that water flowed from consumer’s taps, SCWD could only assure its concessionaires that –as far as practicable – it shall provide sufficient and dependable water supply for the people of the City of Sorsogon.