The regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has identified several groundwater sites in Bicol that could be developed into sources of supply for communities experiencing scarcity of potable water.
Among those identified through the intensified groundwater assessment program of the MGB are the Palhi Spring in Sorsogon City; Tulay na Lupa, Mampurog and San Vicente watersheds in Camarines Norte; and Mandali River in the municipality of Milagros, Jubuyuan Watershed of Aroroy and Tugbo, Nadawison and Domarog of the towns of Cataingan and Uson, all in Masbate.
Others are Bagong Silang, Macad, Caraman, Balogo and Odicon Springs within the watershed of Pasacao; and Nalalata Spring, Ballester Panoypoyan, Upper Casugad, Nadal, Casugad ff1, Casugad ff2, Casugad ff3 and Casugad ff4 located inside the Bula Watershed, both in Camarines Sur.
The assessment program was conducted by the MGB under its hydro-geological project whose implementation was started as early as the 1990s in response to the need to identify more water sources to address the region's dwindling water supply, particularly during the dry season.
When developed into water supply facilities, these groundwater sources could address the problem on potable water being encountered by various areas in the region, Luis Loyola, the MGB regional technical director based here on Tuesday said.
Palhi Spring in Barangay Capuy of Sorsogon City, Loyola said had 12 sub-springs that discharge a maximum total of 600 gallons per minute enough to supply all its adjoining eight barangays and even part of the nearby municipality of Castilla.
The Mandali River of Milagros, Masbate that accounts for about 3,300 gallons per day could provide sufficient supply to fill up the projected water demand of the town of Mobo and Masbate City that are presently living through water scarcity, he said.
Assessment of groundwater potential for Milagros was focus on collection of relevant information regarding the town's present water resources within a five kilometers radius and to formulate a water development plan for the construction of a water system, Loyola added.
In Aroroy, Masbate, Loyola said the Jabuyuan Watershed had eight springs with varying combined discharges from 0.019 to 5.760 liters per second.
He recommended that a water impounding structure is constructed and a cooperative is formed to manage a small water system in the area.
In Uson, Masbate, a total of five live springs were identified during a mapping survey and assessed to be potential potable water sources for the municipality whose communities rely on deep and shallow wells for their household water supply, EMB regional chief said.
Results of geological and geophysical survey in Cataingan, Masbate, meanwhile, showed limestone which underlies 70 percent of the municipality.
This mineral, according to Loyola is relatively an acquifer which contains water of undetermined capacity which can be tapped for domestic use.
In Camarines Norte, the groundwater sources identified are concentrated in the southern portion of Mt. Labo while in Pasacao, Camarines, five springs were located and measured for the water discharges.
A similar geo-hydrology was also conducted in Bula watershed to identify potential potable water sources for development and maximum utilization.
Discharge measurements were conducted on different artesian wells and springs within the area and it was found out that Nalalata, Ballester and Nadal springs are potential water sources. Pasacao and Bula watersheds are located in Camarines Sur.
The identification and assessment of these groundwater sources in several areas of Bicol, Loyola said would guide local authorities in providing safe water supply to their constituents.
Identifying and assessing the potential of these possible water sources will also serve as pointers for local government units covering them in instituting measures for the protection and preservation of these resources in line with "Water for Life" campaign of the government which was used a theme for the recent Earth Day celebration.
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