Some Cebu City areas lose 24-hour MCWD water supply; Jaclupan output cut

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Thousands of households in southern Cebu City will no longer receive round-the-clock water as the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) begins managing the output of its Jaclupan water source to prevent it from running dry before the next rainy season.

MCWD General Manager Atty. John Dx Lapid announced on Wednesday, June 17, that the water utility has reduced production from the Jaclupan Water Facility from 30,000 cubic meters per day to 20,000 cubic meters per day.

The decision is part of a “pressure management” strategy aimed at extending the source’s lifespan amid the looming threat of El Niño.

READ ALSO: MCWD explores diversified water sources beyond groundwater

As a result, affected areas will experience limited water availability during certain hours of the day, effectively ending the 24-hour supply that many consumers have long relied on.

Pressure management, not rationing

The MCWD Jaclupan facility supplies water to Talisay City as well as the southern and central portions of Cebu City.

“Gi-manage nato mao na nga naa nay areas nga dili na 24 hours ang supply. Kadlawon nalang kay if ever ibalik sa 24 hours, dili magdugay, mga three months ra siguro, hurot dayon. Maong bahin-bahin ra. Walay rationing, manage lang. Store water lang. Pressure management ang term,” Lapid said.

(We are managing the source, which is why some areas no longer have a 24-hour water supply. Water may only be available during certain hours because if we return to a 24-hour supply, the source could run out in about three months. We are simply distributing it more carefully. This is not rationing. It is pressure management.)

Stretching Jaclupan until rainy season

MCWD identified the Jaclupan Water Facility as one of its most vulnerable water sources during prolonged dry conditions.

According to Lapid, the utility now limits extraction from the facility and allows groundwater levels to decline gradually by no more than four inches per day.

READ ALSO: Cebu City readies ₱30M fund, expands farmer assistance as El Niño looms

The objective is to keep the source operational until the rainy season next year rather than exhausting it within a few months.

If Jaclupan dries up, around 30,000 households could lose a major source of water.

Thousands depend on MCWD water supply

Using the standard estimate of five individuals per household, MCWD said that as many as 150,000 people could feel the impact.

But the situation remains “manageable,” he said when asked whether MCWD had reached a critical level.

He added that the utility had started preparing after receiving forecasts that another El Niño episode could develop.

“We were told by Pagasa that El Niño is coming. We are preparing for it,” Lapid said.

The pressure management scheme is part of MCWD’s response to a growing supply deficit.

Water deficit widens

MCWD currently produces an average of 263,941 cubic meters of water per day, while demand has reached around 280,000 cubic meters per day. That results in a daily shortfall of 16,059 cubic meters.

To narrow the gap, MCWD has accelerated the rehabilitation of wells and intensified efforts to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), or treated water lost through leaks, theft, and system inefficiencies.

Lapid said the utility currently loses around 8 million liters of water daily through NRW.

“Our goal is to efficiently distribute water and minimize water losses throughout the system,” he said.

Fire hydrants closed to stop water theft

As part of its water conservation measures, MCWD has also restricted access to some fire hydrants, a move that previously drew criticism from local government units concerned about emergency response.

Lapid said that the utility only closed hydrants in areas where unauthorized water extraction had become common.

“Nganong gisarado man ni ang fire hydrants uban? Daghan kaayo mangawat og tubig, and ang epekto katong among mga konsumedor walay tubig,” he said.

(Why were some fire hydrants closed? Because many people were stealing water, and the result was that our consumers were left without water.)

Firefighters know where to go

He added that unauthorized use also creates contamination risks.

“Ang atong tubig sa MCWD potable water mani. Pataka lang og kuha og tubig sa fire hydrant, delikado para sa tanan,” he said.

(Our water is potable. If people freely draw water from fire hydrants without proper controls, it can become dangerous for everyone.)

Lapid said that MCWD has already coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection to identify designated hydrants that firefighters can use during emergencies.

The agency has also agreed that hydrants should no longer serve as regular water sources for tanker trucks delivering water to communities, unless coordinated with MCWD.

Coordination works

Despite the restrictions, firefighters said that the closures have not hampered emergency operations.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Fire Office, said MCWD and the BFP recently strengthened their coordination mechanisms.

“Wala ra man galisod. Just a recent nag-meeting with the MCWD and BFP. Gitagaan ta nilag access. Every time naay emergency, automatic nila nga i-divert ang pressure to the nearest hydrant,” Villanueva said.

(We are not experiencing difficulties. MCWD and the BFP recently met and provided us access. Whenever there is an emergency, they automatically divert water pressure to the nearest hydrant.)

Preventing misuse, protecting consumers

He said the utility’s decision to tighten access likely stemmed from the widespread misuse of hydrants by unauthorized individuals.

“Siguro ilang pahugtan ron kay nabuso man gud. Bisan kinsa nalang mokuha tubig. Dili siya ang tuyo gamit para sa firefighting,” he added.

(They likely tightened access because the system was being abused. Anyone could draw water from the hydrants even though they are intended for firefighting.)

Should the Jaclupan source eventually become insufficient, MCWD said it could purchase additional supply from bulk water providers, particularly those operating in Mambaling.

How consumers can help

Lapid, however, assured consumers that the additional purchases would not automatically translate into higher water bills.

“Walay (there will be no) price increase despite El Niño,” he said.

According to MCWD, the cost of bulk water already forms part of the blended rate structure used in determining consumer charges.

Beyond infrastructure measures, MCWD urged residents to help conserve water by repairing leaks, avoiding unnecessary consumption, and storing water responsibly during scheduled supply interruptions.

Lapid emphasized that ensuring water security requires cooperation among utilities, local governments, and consumers.

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