A LAWMAKER told existing developers and applicants to align their private pipelines with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) standards to prevent future complications.
Councilor Louie John Bonguyan issued the reminder after homeowners of four housing developers in the city appealed to the lawmaker on inadequate and inappropriate water management in their units.
“Kung naa’y mga problema ang mga homeowners, sa amoa sa city sila moadto, especially mga badlungon nga mga developers nga nag-drill, nag-extract, namaligya og tubig nga wala pay certificate from the national,” Bonguyan told reporters during the Aprubado sa Konseho, May 21.
He said that while the city has no power over these developers since they can choose to turn over their water service management to the water district or not, they must still follow DCWD standards.
“Kay kung magkaproblema ilang water system, automatic DCWD pwede na [mo take over], kay there are some subdivisions karon nga pwede na masuplayan, ang problema dili standards ang pipes,” he said.
Developers are allowed to establish their own water system, provided, they have secured permits for extraction, distribution, and commercialization of the water from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The councilor shared that the NWRB XI cannot give any further details on the developers who were provided certificates by the national office.
“The national office provides the certificate, without knowing the water situation in the city, as a regulating body, hatag sa hatag lang sila, pero my point is dapat all developers secure necessary permits,” he added.
The concerns reached by their office include non-potability and the sanitation of water, especially in high-end subdivisions.
He said there are ongoing talks with these developers for the turning over to DCWD, while those who are applying for housing developments are advised to coordinate with the DCWD to ensure their pipelines align with their standards.
At present, there is no existing policy to regulate the developers and pressure them to turn over water management to the water district.
Developers may send their request letter to the DCWD and the latter will provide the checklist of requirements.
Those who prefer not to turn over the system management to DCWD may opt to make the water district a bulk water supplier for the housing through a lone metering service.
However, DCWD noted the rate is more costly as it falls under the commercial category, compared to actual turnover where the service from the water district is direct to the individual customers and falls under the residential category.
The water district is targeting an additional 15,000 water service connections in 2024 attributed to the lifting of suspension of new water service applications due to the operation of Davao City Bulk Water Supply.
Photo: Bing Gonzales
