SUPPLYING WATER TO THE PEOPLE OF SAN RAFAEL SINCE 1994
THE WATER DISTRICT AND ITS FACILITIES
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SAN RAFAEL WATER DISTRICT
A.1. THE WATER DISTRICT
San Rafael Water District (SRWD) was created and organized in 1993 pursuant to Resolution No. 35 Series of 1993, approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of San Rafael on 12 April 1993. The Resolution gave SRWD the full control of the administration and management of water work operations in the municipality of San Rafael, in accordance with PD No. 198.
SRWD was organized for the purpose of operating and maintaining the water supply system of the town of San Rafael as well as improving and expanding it. With this function, the water district was able to avail of financial, technical, and advisory services from Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) upon the issuance of the Conditional Certificate of Conformance (CCC). The CCC indicates that the Water District meets the minimum operational standards specified by LWUA. SRWD was issued CCC No. 528 by LWUA on 02 February 1994.
SRWD is a government-owned and controlled corporation and is an autonomous unit politically and economically independent from the local government. Its policies and laws are set by its five-man Board of Directors.
The management of the operations of the Water District is handled by the General Manager who is appointed by the Board of Directors. The district can only be dissolved through the act of the Board.
SRWD started its operations in January 1996 with 9 employees and 808 active service connections. As of December 2016, the number of active service connections increased to 10,265 the total population served is 61,590 and employed 40 personnel. The total assets have grown from P 8,348,211.27 from January 1996 to 111,300,324.47 in December 2016 (from SRWD January 1996 and December 2016 Balance Sheets). The growth of more than one hundred three (103) million pesos in assets of SRWD was brought by the construction of six (6) elevated reservoir, thirteen (13) deep wells, one (1) booster pump, and more than 93 kilometer pipelines ranging from 50 mm Ø to 200 mm Ø pipes.
*NOTE: Turn-over Well and Elevated Tank (No Well Data Submitted)
A.2. THE WATER SUPPLY
Prior to 1995, SRWD has no water supply system. The water supply system constructed in 1995 consisted of one deep well, pumping station ( Caingin P.S.), 300 cu.m. elevated steel reservoir and a distribution network serving the Poblacion, BMA-Balagtas, Libis, Lico, Pantubig, Caingin (2 units) and Tambubong with pipelines ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm.
B. DESCRIPTION OF WATER WORKS FACILITIES
The water works facilities consist of the following: source facilities, storage facilities, transmission/distribution lines, treatment facilities, valves and hydrants. Description of each facility is discussed below.
B.1. Source Facilities
The water supply source of SRWD consists of thirteen (13) deep wells located at Poblacion, Caingin (2 Units) , Tambubong, Maronquillo, Sampaloc, San Roque, Garden Breeze, Maguinao, Cruz na Daan, San Agustin, Maasim and Salapungan.
B.2. Treatment Facilities
All pumping stations are equipped with a hypo chlorinator. The district makes sure of chlorine supply for the safety of concessionaires especially during rainy season.
B.3. Transmission Facilities
The transmission facilities of SRWD are the pipelines from the existing pumping station of the distribution mains and to the storage facilities. About 200 meters of 200 mm diameter PVC transmission pipeline from Caingin P.S. to the distribution mains along the San Rafael - Baliwag Road was measured.
Another 45 m of 150 mm diameter PVC transmission line from elevated steel reservoir to the distribution line was laid out.
B.4. Storage Facilities
San Rafael Water District has six (6) storage facilities in different barangays. Excess water fills the reservoir and supplements the source during the peak hours. A water level indicator is provided in the tank for the purpose of water level monitoring.
Those elevated steel water tanks are maintained by the pump operators by cleaning the inside part of the tank every six (6) months and repainting the outer part every time the paint is removed.
B.5. Distribution Facilities
The distribution facilities consist mainly of the distribution pipelines (network), the service connections, valves and hydrants.
B.5.1. Network
The distribution network of San Rafael Water District consists of pipes of varying sizes ranging from 50 mm diameter to 200 mm diameter with a total length of more than 93 kilometers. All pipelines are made of PVC, installed since 1995 and serve twenty-six (26) barangays namely Maronquillo, Pulo, Talacsan, Libis, Poblacion, BMA-Balagtas, Lico, Pantubig, Caingin, Tambubong, Sampaloc, Ulingao, Capihan, San Roque, Maguinao, Cruz na Daan, Maasim, San Agustin, Banca-banca, Mabalas-balas, Diliman I, Dagat-dagatan, Pulong Bayabas, Paco, Salapungan and Pasong Intsik.
B.5.2. Service Connections
There are two (2) classifications of service connection; residential and commercial users. As of December 2016, there are 10,265 service connections of which all are metered and active. There are three hundred eight (308) commercial water users and nine (9) production meters.
B.5.3. Valves and Hydrants
SRWD distribution system has Fifty (50) gate valves with diameter ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm, twenty-five (25) blow-offs with improvised hydrants head and twenty-one (21) blow-offs. There are five (5) existing fire hydrants in the system installed in barangays Poblacion, Caingin, Sampaloc and Cruz na Daan.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND MANPOWER COMPLEMENT
San Rafael Water District is classified as a Category C Water District by the LWUA using the parameters laid down under the Revised LWD – MaCRO. It is composed of three Divisions: The Administrative & Finance Services Division, Engineering & Production Division and the Commercial Division which are all headed by respective Division Managers. The total manpower as of December 31, 2016 consists of 39 permanent employees and 1 casual employee. The Staff Productivity Index is 1:257. The Water District maintains a lean organization but could very well meet its mandate. Occasionally, outside services by contract or job orders provide support to the District’s needs.
D. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
Field investigations are being conducted daily to determine the hydraulic and physical condition of the existing facilities and to provide data for the recommendations to improve the system.
D.1. Pump Testing
All pumps are operational and monitor by pump operator as well as the logging of production data and measurement of water level.
D.2. Flow Measurement
Every pumping station has its own flow meter that will determine production data as well as the discharge in liter per second (LPS).
D.3 System Pressures
A pressure gauge was installed in the discharge line from well to acquire the pressure at every pumping station. Additional pressure gauge was installed in the terminal distribution line to assessed the pumping hour of pumps.
D.4. Water Quality of Existing Water Sources
Water sample was taken from the different existing source twice a year for Physical & Chemical test. Water samples were also collected from different points in the distribution areas, one sample each in all barangay covered by San Rafael Water District for the monthly Bacteriological test. Due to our treatment facilities, all water samples passed to the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water with respect to coli form bacteria.
E. WATER USE PROFILE
The study of the water being used by SRWD was undertaken to determine the existing water accountability. Consumption data were obtained from the billing records of the Water District. All water users in the service area are 100 percent metered.
E.1 Water Consumption
The average monthly consumption per connection as of December 2016 is 18.57 cu. m. The above data were based on the records of SRWD.
E.2. Water Production
The total water production in 2016 (January – December) is 2,776,180.68 cu. m. with an estimated average monthly water production of 231,348.39 cu. m.
E.3. Water Accountability
The accounted-for-water is the revenue producing water for the Water District. It is the percentage of the metered (billed) water consumption over the water production. The computed average monthly accounted-for-water as of December 2016 is 85.83%.
E.4. Unaccounted Water
The unaccounted-for-water is obtained from the difference between the water production and the metered water consumption. It includes the water losses due to illegal connections and flushing. The average monthly unaccounted-for-water as of December 2016 was computed to be 14.17%.
E.5. Water Rates
The new rate is in conformance with LWUA’s “cross consumer subsidy”. In this concept, large water consumers and well-off concessionaires (like commercial) are charged higher than small users. The commodity charge goes higher as the consumption increases.
F. WATER SYSTEM
The existing system of SRWD based on the field investigations are discussed below.
F.1. Water Source and Its Facilities
F.1.1. Existing Water Source
The water supply of SRWD is sufficient to meet the demands of the existing water users.
F.1.2. Source Facilities
The pump installed in all pumping stations operates well. Every station has its own logbook for monitoring and proper maintenance. The pump operators monitor on water level and pressure to make sure of efficient pump operation.
F.2. Treatment Facilities
Every pumping station has its own chlorinator. Proper monitoring and checking of parts regularly lessen the possibility of chlorinator breakdown.
F.3. Transition Facilities
No deficiencies were observed during the field investigations.
F.4. Storage Facilities
The six (6) elevated steel reservoir located in Lico, Maronquillo, Garden Breeze, San Roque, Cruz na Daan & San Agustin reduced the pumping time of pump and has stabilized the pressure at the terminal distribution line.
F.5. Distribution Facilities
Main distribution lines in all service area are all in good condition, no leaks were observed and head loss is minimal from end to end of the system.
F.6. Service Connections and Other Appurtenances
F.6.1. Service Connections
PVC pipes is being used in replacement for G.I. pipes as well as small fittings like elbow, coupling, st. elbow etc., plastic water meter is also introduced with a cheaper price.
F.6.2. Valve and Hydrants
Twenty-two (22) more valves were added due to expansion project in Talacsan to Pulo and Metro Cruz na Daan pipelines. Five (5) fire hydrants were installed and sixteen (16) blow-offs with improvised hydrants head tapped in distribution line terminals.
G. DISPOSAL FACILITIES
G.1. Drainage Facilities
There are no drainage systems in the service area on major roads from barangay Tambubong – Lico. Open canals were constructed from Barangay Poblacion – Libis and about 400 meters in Maronquillo. The presence of Angat River, irrigational canals, streams and rice fields serve as the natural drainage within the service area. No flooding was observed during heavy downpour. Inquiries from the local government regarding the funding for the construction of the drainage canals were made. No immediate and long-range plans were programmed and this infrastructure occupies the least priority in the municipal budget.
G.2. Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
The town of San Rafael has solid waste management program. Residents within the service area and even in the whole town were advised to follow the Sangguniang Bayan Ordinance on Waste Management Program which are implementation of waste segregation and avoidance of burning of solid waste.
H. ACHIEVEMENTS
> Most Outstanding Water District Award in the Small Category for the year 1999.
> Most Outstanding Water District Nominee in the Medium Category for the year 2004.
> Level II – Accredited Status (CSC-PRIME) – December 23, 2013
