Barangay Macabalan is considered to be one of the most densely populated areas of the city. Per 2022 census, it is the home of 19,562 people, about 2.69% of the 728,402 total population of Cagayan de Oro. Being geographically situated at the farthest end of northern Cagayan de Oro, portions of Barangay Macabalan has been experiencing low pressure to no water supply on a daily basis.
Although several technical investigations in the said barangay indicate that various areas yield varied yet generally low water pressure readings, they are still in stark contrast with the average normal water pressure of approximately 10psi per service connection. Said low pressure in the area could be largely attributed to the fact that existing pipelines and service connections thereat are essentially aged, thus, very susceptible to clogging and leakages.
COWD, in its intent to augment the water supply pressure in the area, started the installation of 150mm diameter uPVC Distribution Pipeline along the stretch of Macabalan-Puntod boundary area early this January 2023. This project component amounting to Two Million Pesos estimated cost is part of COWD’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Program. When completed by April 2023, this project is expected to eventually improve water pressure in the area.
Moreover, said project includes installation of 16 units meter stub-outs (MSO) such that individual service connections whose water meters and pipelines are so-called aged, shall be transferred and rehabilitated. One (1) MSO holds about 20 water meters hence, 16 MSO shall accommodate 320 service connections as beneficiaries.
Another project component is the proposed pipeline rehabilitation at Piaping Puti Macabalan with an approved budget of P6.5M to be implemented within the period of January to June of 2023.
On top of these two (2) COWD projects is the major pipeline rehabilitation of Barangay Macabalan which includes construction of District Metered Areas (DMA), Distribution Pipeline replacement, installation of MSO, transfer of old single connections to new MSO. Said major project has an estimated cost of Ninety-Four Million Pesos and shall be implemented by phases from 2023 to 2026.
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