Cebu City is considering treating brackish water from a 50-hectare site known as Pond A to augment supplies for firefighting and other household uses as the city prepares for a possible El Niño drought.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. said the city was exploring the purchase of filtration or desalination equipment that could potentially process 10 million to 15 million liters of water daily (MLD).
The proposed supply would not be intended for drinking but could help meet other water needs as prolonged dry conditions threaten existing sources.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Oct. 15, Archival said he had directed disaster management officials to study how the water could be treated and recommend suitable equipment for possible procurement.
The project remains under consideration, and the estimated daily output has yet to be confirmed.
Beyond Pond A, the city is also assessing groundwater sources to increase supply and reduce dependence on more expensive water sources.
Archival said the city had identified more than 600 wells as part of its El Niño preparations, about 400 of which were reportedly already producing water.
The city is consolidating information on the wells, including those on private properties, to determine which sources could be tapped or rehabilitated. Authorities also need to repair damaged wells to restore their capacity to provide water.
Archival has asked barangays to submit inventories of their water sources, including springs that continue to flow and those that have dried up. The information would help the city identify potential sources and determine which communities might need alternative supplies as conditions become drier.
The mayor has also asked the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to explore developing additional groundwater wells on city-owned properties, including school grounds.
He said these wells could provide another 5 million to 10 million liters daily, depending on how quickly the sources could be developed.
Archival said groundwater could help reduce supply costs compared with some existing sources, including desalinated water. However, he stressed that MCWD must regulate extraction to prevent over-pumping and protect groundwater resources.
The city is also seeking additional water deliveries from MCWD. Archival said he had asked the utility to provide at least 210 million liters daily.
He cited purchased water costs of around P62 to P65 per unit and said the proposed arrangement would involve a price reduction of about 30%, subject to applicable regulatory limits.
Archival also welcomed the national government’s offer to provide water tankers to supplement deliveries, particularly to communities that may experience shortages.
Meanwhile, the city is promoting rainwater harvesting while rainfall remains available.
Archival said he had directed the Office of the Building Official to strengthen its campaign encouraging barangays and institutions to collect and store rainwater for future use.
The preparations come as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration projects increasingly dry conditions in Cebu in the coming months, with drought conditions possible by March 2027.
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