Desalination project to solve water supply problem in PanglaoBy Luel Galarpe
TAGBILARAN City, Bohol -- The Provincial Development Council (PDC) has identified a solution to the twin problems of scarcity of potable water and high cost of electricity that are feared to hamper development of Bohol’s tourism capital -- Panglao Island.

The PDC endorsed the proposed water desalination facility in Dauis, one of the two municipalities in Panglao Island, to address the problems.
The facility can also be partly utilized partly for renewable energy.
Bohol Electric Company (Boheco) - 1 is providing the power supply in the area, but the proposed project will use solar panels during daytime operation.

"It can be seen that the twin problems of inadequate water supply and high power rates will greatly hinder the future development of the island,†said Dauis municipal planning and development coordinator Engr. Oscar Nistal.

The lot for the project site in Barangay San Isidro, Dauis has yet to be acquired by the local government, but negotiation with the lot owner is ongoing.
The project will cover an area of 5,298 square meters.
“The proposed project site is accessible from the national road and adjacent to a barangay road,†Nistal said.

The supply of fresh and potable water is not enough to meet the needs of the locals and businesses in Panglao Island.

“This problem has been a source of constant complaints from its irate residents,†Nistal said.

Aside from the problem on water supply, the high cost of electricity also besets the tourist island where the current electric tariff rate is PHP12 per kilowatt hour compared to only PHP8-9 per kwh in Manila.

Residents and establishments in the island have to bear daily with the absence of water distribution line in the area.

The smart micro-grid desalination equipment will not be fully dependent on the power supply from the grid as its main power supply will come from renewable energy.

It has been proposed that the LGU of Dauis will manage the project.

"At present, five barangays manage their own waterworks system which is dependent on ground water sources, while seven barangays are dependent on the water supply being provided by Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) which is still insufficient,†Nistal disclosed.

The project will employ a photovoltaic (PV) power of electricity generation which will be matched with micro-grid system and adopts reverse osmosis technology to desalinate seawater.

It is projected to have daily capacity of 2,000 tons and the system can sustain a 24-hour operation.
It is assured that the desalinated water will meet the standards for drinking water in the Philippines.

"In case that solar resource is sufficient, the coupling of PV power generation system and energy storage system can ensure the continuous operation of desalination system for about 10-12 hours in general,†Nistal added. (Angeline Valencia/PNA)
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