TACLOBAN CITY – A significant step towards resolving water scarcity in Tacloban City is on the horizon with the anticipated completion of a PHP500-million water transmission line project by early 2025. This initiative, known as the Filter C Transmission Line Project, is expected to boost the city’s water supply by an additional 10 million liters per day (MLD), effectively addressing the current 4.2 MLD deficit.
Ronnie Cornico, the general manager of the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD), shared these details during a press briefing. He highlighted that the project, which began in 2023, is a collaborative effort between LMWD and Primewater Infrastructure Corp. The additional water will be distributed with three MLD allocated for resettlement sites in northern Tacloban, and seven MLD for the downtown area, enhancing water pressure and supply in nearby towns as well.
Roy Urmeneta, technical head of Primewater Leyte Metro, emphasized the project’s broader impact, noting that it will also benefit communities in Sta. Fe town through the establishment of distribution networks in areas where the transmission line will be installed.
The project involves laying 450-mm and 300-mm plastic pipes over distances of 21.8 km and 5.25 km, respectively, from Tigbao village in Tacloban City to the Slow Sand Filter Facility Plant in Pastrana, Leyte, near the Binahaan River. This pipeline will serve as a crucial conduit for delivering safe drinking water to the Tigbao area and will support the addition of another water treatment plant.
Filter C, the first water treatment facility established by LMWD, utilizes slow sand filtration and disinfection methods. LMWD currently serves over 53,000 water concessionaires across Tacloban City and several surrounding towns, delivering approximately 60 MLD of potable water daily, primarily sourced from Dagami and Pastrana towns.