DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 23 (PIA) -- The Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW) is set to release guidelines on the proper use of booster pumps to improve the management of water resources in the city.

Metro Dumaguete Water Chief Operating Officer David Berba said households using booster pumps could deprive their neighbors with ample water supply since it draws huge amounts of water from the main pipelines.

Aside from this, there could also be issues on water quality since booster pumps can also suck tiny sediments from the ground which may not be filtered out properly.

“If you use boost pumps, your neighbor may be suffering low to no water pressure because you are sucking all the water towards your house. We are going to release guidelines on the proper use of booster pumps. Ideally, you should have a storage tank first before the booster pump is employed. We want to convey that message to our customers especially to those who are using booster pumps who are connected to the main pipelines,” Berba said.

“Two problems will occur if you do that kind of incorrect usage of booster pump. One, your neighbor will suffer because they won’t be getting ample supply of water. Two, it’s a possible water quality problem because you will be sucking all the sediments. Imagine there is a pipeline with holes, we’ll be sucking dirt from the road or sandbedding. That is a pending water quality issue,” Berba added.

The MDW aims to release the said guidelines and start the campaign next month.

Berba clarified that MDW has no policing power on the matter but the strongest penalty they can impose is disconnection from water services.

The MDW official also said the move is part of their measures to improve water pressure and water supply in the city.

This is in line with their goal to reduce water losses and increase water availability for their consumers in the city in their first years of operation.

Berba reported that since the start of their operation, water losses already dropped from 46% in February to 43% in June this year.

MDW started its operation in February this year.

It is a joint venture between Metro Pacific Water, an affiliate of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and Dumaguete City Water District.

Meanwhile, Berba also encouraged their consumers in the city to report to MDW any incidents of pipe leaks so that it will be resolved immediately. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)