For months, residents of Barangay Carael in Dagupan City have been grappling with salty and murky water, and weak supply, forcing many to fetch water from a school nearby or from neighboring barangays.

“Sa tricycle, bibili kami doon ng galon tsaka mag bomba kung minsan, o kaya bibili kami doon limang piso isa, tapos pamasahe limang piso na naman,” Joseph Balolong, a resident, said.

Some households, like that of Crisenta Abalos-Villado, have opted to cut their water connection temporarily until the supply improves.

“Ipa-temporary close niyo sa opisina para maisara saglit. Kung sakaling meron na kasi ipa-aprub lang yung pumping station jan, ipa-connect niyo na rin,” she said.

Pamana Water-Dagupan, the local water provider, said recent typhoons may have caused leaks in old pipes. This allowed mud and other debris to enter the system, and discolored the water.

On the issue of low water pressure, the company cited two main factors: rising demand and an ongoing road improvement project in the barangay, which coincided with an upgrade of water pipes.

“Baka isang cause ng low pressure or walang pressure ay ‘di ba may ongoing na road improvement doon so sinabayan ng Pamana Water ang also pag-upgrade ng mga tubo, so itinaas din [ang mga tubo],” Marge Navata, head of Marketing and Public Relations, said.

Navata also shared that water testing at a newly built pumping station in Carael has produced clear results.

“We are very happy to inform you na malinaw na yung mga dumadaloy na tubig from several testing. So ibig sabihin, very very soon, magkakaroon na tayo ng source ng water sa Carael,” she said.

Residents are hopeful that the new pumping station will finally resolve their long-standing water woes.