BAGUIO CITY – After its rehabilitation for more than one year, the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin (STRB) resumes operation earlier in June 2018.
The largest rain water catchment facility managed and operated by the Baguio Water District returned to collect rain water after being temporarily parched in March 2017.
The development project, which amounts to a total of PhP92 million funded through the Department of Public Works and Highways’ General Appropriations Fund, improved the holding capacity of the STRB from 592,655 cubic meters of water to an average of 700,00m3 once filled to the brim.
With the completion of the project BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca, signposted his confidence that the lone water utility in the Summer Capital will continue to provide solutions in effectively addressing the gap in water supply and demand in the next few years.
In Royeca’s accomplishment report presented during the 43rd BWD anniversary celebration held last July 11, 2018, he emphasized on the importance of carrying out the various BWD development programs designed to improve the water supply within the District’s jurisdiction.
The BWD top official stated the realization of the proposed developments should target not only to address the growing demand of its consumers but likewise turn into a challenge for the District to continuously seek progress both in its operations and facilities.
The recent structural feat, in full-blown operation, will translate to an improved water supply for over 30 percent of consumers in the southern area of the city particularly during dry season.
The four-decade old facility currently supplies more than 6,000 households in Baguio including parts of Tuba, Benguet.
Among the major works undertaken at STRB include the improvement of dikes, concreting of walls and basin floor, reinstallation of new pipelines and fencing of the premises.
This will be the second time the facility underwent major rehabilitation after the 1990 earthquake until BWD, under Royeca’s watch, secured sufficient funding for the project back in 2016.
For 2018, records show that BWD has a daily supply capability of 42,587 cubic meters compared to the 46,062 cubic meters actual daily demand from all active connections and to the 65,082 cubic meters demand from the total population.
Apart from STRB, rain water catchment facilities are being constructed within the Busol watershed, while six more drilling explorations are set to be completed within the next two years. By Mark Victor Pasagoy
