BAGUIO CITY-- Baguio residents may be assured of water supply as the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin (STRB) reached its 12.4-meter spilling level following continuous rainfall caused by the recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon.

Located at the peak of Mount Sto. Tomas in Tuba, Benguet, the basin is the largest rainwater harvesting facility managed by the Baguio Water District (BWD). It holds an estimated capacity of 700,000 cubic meters, which is roughly equivalent to 280 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The facility serves as a critical backup water source for more than 6,500 active connections in the southern portion of Baguio City, particularly during dry spells.

Despite reaching full capacity, BWD stated that the impounded rainwater cannot be used immediately. The water must first undergo a sedimentation period to allow suspended particles, sediment, and other causes of turbidity to settle at the bottom before undergoing further treatment processes.

The water district typically activates the basin as an augmentation supply during the dry season, providing water coverage for up to six months, from October through March.