'Self-pumping' water pump in Zamboanga del Norte sparks buzz online

A water pump in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte didn’t just bring water; it also brought fear after it was caught on video seemingly pumping on its own even when no one was using it.

In a report by Kuya Kim on “24 Oras,” footage taken by Kim Augie Carin showed the pump handle moving up and down by itself, with water dripping, before the handle eventually came off the pump.

“May napansin kami na kaibang tunog. Nung tiningnan naman yung poso, wala namang tao. Nung nilapitan ko, gumalaw siya, tapos ‘yung tubig tumutulo. Napaisip ako, medyo may takot sa sarili, at napaisip ako paano ‘to nangyari,” Carin said.

According to physicist Ryan Victorio, the eerie movement may have been caused by underground water pressure, especially if the pump is connected to a shared pipeline system.

“O dahil nga ito nakakonekta sa isang pipe, tapos may isa pa uling poso na nakakonekta dito, ito ay nag-aakto na parang isang hydraulic clip. So pag nag-apply tayo ng pwersa, nag-a-apply rin tayo ng pressure. Dahil iisa lang ‘yung linya, tinutulak nung tubig ‘yung isa pang poso, pwedeng umangat, tapos ‘yung isang poso naman na nag-apply tayo ng pressure, bababa ‘yon,” he said.

In Carin’s case, the unexpected flow of water was also linked to a possible pipe issue, such as a leak in the line.

“Galing po sa source, iisa lang ‘yung tubo tapos nag-connect kami para sa dalawang poso. Bale nagshe-share sila sa isang source. ‘Yung poso na na-videohan namin, may singaw kasi ‘yun. ‘Pag gagamitin ‘yung poso namin, ‘yung sa kapitbahay namin gagalaw,” he said. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News