Investment and Expansion of Boracay Water Infrastructure Expected as Tourism Picks Up

With the recent easing of travel and mobility restrictions, Boracay is getting ready to accept more tourists into the island. In line with this, Boracay Water has committed to continue its investment and expansion of infrastructure in an effort to “ensure availability of clean, safe, reliable water supply.” The company is a public-private partnership between the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Water.

Just last month, the Malay Tourism Office recorded a total of 80,882 tourists arriving in Boracay. This figure significantly tops the 35,799 tourist arrivals that were recorded in January. Boracay Water has been the island’s primary provider of reliable water supply and wastewater services for 12 years, with invested infrastructure facilities of over ₱4.32 billion.

“Boracay Water made sure that safe and reliable water supply is available in the Island and at the same time, ensured proper wastewater management in the island’s three barangays, namely Manocmanoc, Balabag, and Yapak, including the white beach’s popular commercial stations 1, 2, and 3,” it affirmed.

When the company first entered the island in 2010, residents were only able to capitalize on 13 hours or less of water supply. By 2015, 100% of Boracay Water’s customers have been able to experience 24/7 supply particularly as water availability increased following the implementation of numerous projects to develop the water supply network from source to distribution.

Boracay Water’s major projects include the rehabilitation of the Caticlan’s water treatment plant which is able to hold 25 million liters per day, the one-kilometer submarine water pipeline along the Caticlan-Boracay channel, repairs and replacement of kilometers of old networks along with the expansion of piping systems, as well as the rehabilitation and construction of pumping stations and booster pumps.

Additionally, systems losses peaked at 37% of total production in 2010 caused by old pipes, which has since been addressed by the company. “To date, the company has brought the level of water losses down to 18 percent. Water recovered from leakages is brought back to the system and distributed to customers,” it added.

Boracay Water has likewise upgraded and expanded its wastewater facilities in an effort to guarantee the continuous supply of potable water to the island. In 2011, it completed its rehabilitation of the Balabag sewage treatment plant and sewer network which caused the deterioration of coastal water quality. “Aside from doubling treatment capacity from 2.6 to 6.5 million liters a day (MLD), Boracay Water guaranteed that the facility complies with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ discharge standards,” it added. The company also has a fleet of vacuum trucks to provide areas without sewer systems with regular desludging services of septic tanks.

Source: PhilStar