CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) announced that its bulk water supplier, Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI), will begin a three-month rehabilitation of its water treatment plant in Taguanao on March 17.

The four-phase project will focus on restoring and repairing the plant’s Rapid Sand Filter (RSF) units, which are essential in maintaining water quality and supply.

Engr. Nieva A. Ladera, COWD assistant general manager for technical services, said the rehabilitation will be done in phases to minimize prolonged water disruptions.

Each phase will run for four days, followed by a 10-day to two-week interval when no rehabilitation work will be conducted and normal water flow will resume.

Under the schedule:

  • March 17–20: Rehabilitation of RSF Module 2 Train 2, with water supply reduced to 40 MLD for the West service area and 10 MLD for the East service area.
  • March 21–April 6: No rehabilitation activity.
  • April 7–10: Rehabilitation of RSF Module 2 Train 1, with 42.5 MLD to the West and 12.5 MLD to the East service area.
  • April 11–20: No rehabilitation activity.
  • April 21–24: Rehabilitation of RSF Module 1 Train 2, with 42.5 MLD to the West and 12.5 MLD to the East.
  • April 25–May 4: No rehabilitation activity.
  • May 5–8: Final phase covering RSF Module 1 Train 1, with 47.5 MLD to the West and 12.5 MLD to the East.

Ladera said normal water delivery is expected to fully resume on May 9.

COBI technical adviser Marianito H. Barahan said the rehabilitation is the first major maintenance work on the plant after about 15 years of continuous operation.

“We are only maximizing the plant’s life,” Barahan said, likening the rehabilitation to replacing parts in a vehicle based on its maintenance schedule. 

Barahan noted that materials are already on site, but he declined to disclose the project cost.

COWD general manager Engr. Edna S. Najeal is cushioning the supply drop by activating Production Well 3A and other contingency measures.

Other water sources include production wells in Barangays Balulang, Canitoan, and Cala-anan, she said.

Service disruptions will primarily hit parts of Canitoan, Patag, Iponan, and Barra in Opol; moreover, officials expect temporary interruptions for residents in Camaman-an, Lapasan, Macasandig, and Gusa.

COWD clarified that crews will reduce water flow during the project, but they will not cut the supply entirely.

Najeal said the agency has coordinated with cooperatives and the Bureau of Fire Protection to assist in water rationing if needed. 

The rehabilitation will also not affect current water rates, as the bulk water supplier will shoulder the project cost.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan de Oro City Mayor’s Office will ration water in affected barangays during the first phase, starting at 8 a.m. on March 17 through 7 p.m. on March 20.

The COWD advises residents to contact their barangay officials to confirm specific water delivery locations and timing.