NWRB slates probe on Baguio illegal deep wells

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY --  The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will check Baguio City’s problem on proliferation of illegal deep wells which is one of the causes of the declining yield of the city’s water sources.
     “They promised to look into the matter of illegal deep wells and have them removed but no timeline was mentioned,” Baguio Water District general manager Salvador Royeca said.
    Royeca along with Mayor Benjamin Magalong met with NWRB officials headed by executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr. to take up propositions among which the possibility of granting the district regulatory power over the city’s water resources and private deep wells.
    Royeca said all the recommendations were discussed and they are hopeful for positive feedback from the board.
    The board’s concern was trained on the unpermitted deep wells which has been determined as one of the causes of the depletion of the recharge areas of the city’s underground water sources resulting to the decline in pumping water levels.
    The same problem is being faced now as the city is poised to experience acute water shortage this summer due to the dwindling yield from underground sources and a shortfall in water harvesting target in some of the city’s facilities due to insufficient rainfall received.
    Royeca said the district adopted measures like tapping more sources and streamlining water supply schedule to ensure continuous supply until the rainy season.
    However, the public has to do its share by helping conserve water in their homes and offices.
    “This water shortage is not just a possibility but is something inevitable and we all have to do something,” the mayor said.