WASA promises pipe-borne water for Valencia

In response to the water shortage in Valencia, brought about by low rainfall, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) says it is taking action.

In October, the authority cut back supply production because of a decrease in water production at the Hollis Water Treatment Plant and Quare Booster Station. In a statement on Monday, WASA told affected customers it is putting measures in place to supply pipe-borne water over the coming week.

The areas impacted include San Pablo, San Pedro, Mora, Clarance Trace, Cumaca Road, Casuarina Boulevard, and surrounding areas.

WASA said it is increasing production at the Hollis Water Treatment Plant, as recent rainfall in its catchment area has raised the reservoir's storage level from 42 to 48 per cent. There has also been an increase in flows in the Quare River, allowing greater production at the Quare Booster Station.

The combination of increased rain and improvements to the distribution system will provide the additional water and pressure necessary to reach the affected areas. The authority said in the interim, it will use its truck-borne service to supplement the supply to affected customers.

In October, Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said the decrease in water production at the Hollis Reservoir, which normally produces 8.4 million gallons per day, had dropped to 5.7 million gallons. He said the reservoir's capacity had fallen to 43 per cent, a significant decline from the typical 74 per cent, attributing this to the lack of rain.