Joint venture company CSWater Iloilo is now the new water distribution utility in Janiuay, Iloilo.
CSWater Iloilo (Citicore Summa Water Iloilo, Inc.) formally launched its partnership with Janiuay Water District (JWD) on Monday, July 29 in its new official office located at Barangay Aquino Nobleza West, Janiuay.
The new water utility promises to help improve water supply quality and efficiency in the municipality.
Under the contractual venture agreement with JWD, CSWater is tasked to operate an efficient water system, maintain and improve pipelines and service connections to the different barangays in the municipality in the next 25 years.
Operating since 1988 under the supervision of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), JWD was recently beset with both internal and external challenges, climate change, old water system, and high non-revenue water (NRW).
“We entered into a bulk water supply agreement with CSWater to address these concerns and low water supply,” said JWD General Manager Sharon Rose Brasileno.
“They will be handling the expansion, rehabilitation, operations and management. We at Janiuay Water District will handle the monitoring of the project.”
Milestones
CSWater Iloilo General Manager Andrew Margarico shared that they have already made some accomplishments since the utility took over the operations July 1.
They have already deployed NRW Team in preparation for rehabilitation and upgrade of the water system, activated additional payment center in Landbank, and implemented the Read and Bill System. They were also able to deliver water despite brownouts, and use social media (Facebook) for timely water advisory.
With CSWater’s engineering expertise, water metering solution and infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance program, the utility can cope up with increasing demand of Janiuaynons for better service and limit water usage waste.
CSWater also revealed their strategic moves to rehabilitate old facilities to repair pipe leaks, defective meters, illegal connections and upgrade monitor system performance to better track water usage to ensure resources are being used efficiently.
“Water is a precious resource in Janiuay as we face challenges with water shortages and access to clean drinking water. With the help of CSWater, we can ensure that treated water is not lost during delivery. This is a critical step in improving water access in the community,” said GM Margarico.
“The rehabilitation activities in the coming months will improve the efficiency of the drinking water supply while reducing progressively water losses and shortening the period of water shortages and interruption. At the same time, the quality of the customer service will increase. CSWater will deploy smart metering, accessible payment centers and portable data collection.”
GM Andrew added that CSWater is dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water. “We have extensive experience in addressing non-revenue water and conserve precious water resources. It is our privilege to serve Janiuaynons to better manage the delivery and use of water,” he said.
JWD is presently serving a total of 1,731 concessionaires in 24 barangays, and CSWater looks to extend the water delivery to 40 barangays.
“We look to expand service coverage and connections to the different barangays in order to serve more households. More than 50% of Janiuay is not yet connected,” said CSWater Managing Director Oliver Tan.
With the rehabilitation of facilities, employing of new technology and expansion of water networks, CSWater hopes to help address the call of Janiuaynons of quality and reliable water supply.
CSWater Iloilo grand launching and office inauguration was also attended by its President Jose Soler, Managing Director Oliver Tan, Janiuay Mayor Ben Margarico, Vice Mayor Felizardo Amigable, and the Sangguniang Bayan Members.
