Road repairs damage Baguio water lines

The Baguio Water District (BWD) said Saturday that at least 1,600 active water connections in barangays Fairview and Quezon Hill were damaged by road repairs in the north-northwest part of the city.

BWD general manager, engineer Salvador Royeca assured that their personnel has begun repairing the damaged pipelines along Sofia de Veyra Street in Quezon Hill, which is near a BWD water pumping station.

He, however, said, “unscheduled water service interruptions are expected to recur in the areas of Quezon Hill and Fairview, following the incessant and untoward damage to the District’s main distribution lines early this week.”

The areas with the affected water lines are Middle and Upper Quezon Hill (Chrome, Gold, Tin, Iron, Paraan, Abellera, Zarate, Paredes, Carantes, Arvizu, Ortega, and Delos Santos); Victoria Village, Parts of Tacay-Quezon Hill (Silver, Orchid, Camia, Copper, Sunnyside Fairview), 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Road Quezon Hill, Lamug, Ponce Street, Upper, and Central Fairview, Golden Shower and Lower Fairview.

“The low water pressure to limited to no water will be experienced during their water distribution schedules,” Royeca added.

The BWD is also monitoring other ongoing road rehabilitation works, such as those along Baguio’s major roads where most of the District’s pipelines are located.

Water quality is also a problem in some areas due to the entry of soil, sediments, and other debris into the damaged pipelines before and during their repair, resulting in turbid or dirty water supply.

“The District assures the public, however, that the water passes through adequate treatment before distribution to the public,” he said.

The main pipeline along Sofia de Veyra Street was reported to have been damaged on 17 May.