THE ASSESSMENT OF SAN PABLO CITY

WATER DISTRICT’S (SPCWD) PIPED

WATER SYSTEM

PREPARED BY:

Cuevas, John Ray

Fetizanan, Ronn Xavier

Jaurigue, Aira Jimelle

Manalo, Jinky

Perez, Deo

SUBMITTED TO:

Engr. Neslyn Lopez

 I. INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most vital elements on earth. Without water, lifespan of humans would be short

or worse, we won’t survive a single day at all. There is a variety of means why we are able to use clean

water everywhere. Either it is just potable water or a drinking water; both supplied to us every day and

are necessary for human survival.

Water Stations are one of the reasons why clean and enough water is possible for our everyday use.

These stations are the reasons behind why we are able to utilize and conserve the available water on

earth. Because of the high intelligence of the people working on different water establishments around

the world, there is a large efficiency in the supply and demand of water to nearby households and large

establishments and known city that is rich in water is San Pablo City of Luzon, Philippines.

Obviously, water stations and hydrology are interconnected to each other. Water stations are great

representations of the hydrologic cycle wherein precipitation, evaporation, runoff, weather phenomenon

and other parts of the hydrologic cycle affects the supply and demand of the water stations across the

world. Another aspect is how the water station prepares for the supply of water. Hydrology has evolved

as a science in response to the need to understand the complex water systems of the Earth and help solve

water problems. Particular water treatment and infiltration systems are to be conducted to ensure the

safety and cleanliness of the residents of a particular city. With the help of new technologies, pipes are

being rehabilitated and improved to escalate the safety percentage of the water and rest assured no

spread of contamination, pollution and harmful or toxic chemicals that are purely hazards of health.
 San Pablo City is part of the Southern Luzon, 82 kilometres South East of Manila. San Pablo City is

called the “City of Seven Lakes”. It is one of the cities together with Laguna in Southern Luzon

consisting of large bodies of water. Obviously, it is called the city of seven lakes mainly because it is

consists of seven crater-lakes that are primarily located in the northern border of the city. The name of

these lakes are Sampaloc, Kalibato, Bunot, Palakpakin, Mohicap, and the two most visited lakes called

Pandin and Yambo. According to San Pablo Water City Water District (SPCWD), the depth of the lakes

in San Pablo range from 7 m to 130 m while the surface areas of these large bodies of water are

approximately 14 ha to 104 ha.

Below are the basic information about the seven lakes of San Pablo City.

TABLE 1.1 Figures For The San Pablo’s Seven Lakes

Lake Surface Area Estimated Depth Estimated Volume

(hectares) (meters) (cubic meters)

Sampaloc Lake 104 27 14.1 M

Calibato Lake 42 135 29.6 M

Bunot Lake 30.5 23 3.5 M

Mojicap Lake 14.5 27.5 2M

Palakpakin Lake 43 7.5 1.6 M

Yambo Lake 28.5 40 5.8 M

Pandin Lake 20.5 63 6.6 M

1.1 SAN PABLO WATER DISTRICT PROFILE

San Pablo City Water District is among the earliest water district in the Philippines. Actually it is the

fourth (4th) water district in the Philippines. San Pablo City Water District is a corporation duly

organized under PD198 and tasked to contribute the improvement of the quality of life of the people of

San Pablo City providing potable, adequate and affordable drinking water in the city. It is In 1973, the

Philippine Government contracted the Wilson-Montgomery Consulting Engineers Inc. to conduct an

engineering and feasibility studies on local water systems. The said event was made possible to perform

the lay-outing of blue prints for locally controlled water systems.

Year by year since 1979, there is always an improved water system for the city as the SPCWD was

providing additional springs as source of water supply. San Pablo City Water District was formally

organized on January 1, 1974 and was granted its Conditional Certificate of Conformance by Local

Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) on March 19, 1974. San Pablo City Water District is an

organization that pursuit Service Excellence, professionalism, commitment, wisdom and discipline.

San Pablo City is not just a simple water district. It is a water district with a purpose. They are

conducting different environmental projects with other organizations and schools like reforestation, etc.

Conforming to the water district’s vision “We continuously strive to be recognized as the best water

service provider in the country”, San Pablo City Water District is a water district full of excellence

awards. They has been the recipient of the following awards: Most Efficient Management Control

Practices, 2nd Highest Operational Performance, Highest Collection Efficiency, Most Outstanding

Veteran Water District (1981-1983), Hall of Famer and Godfather Water District.
1.2 HISTORY OF SAN PABLO’S WATER SYSTEM

Since San Pablo City is one of the oldest water district in the Philippines, some of its pumping

stations were made during World War I and are still working up to this day. According to SPCWD, the

first piped water system for San Pablo was initiated in 1912. Under the provisions of the Governor of

Laguna, Hon. Potenciano Malvar signed up for help from water experts to conduct a feasibility study of

tapping the Cabunsod Spring to become a source of potable water through gravity pipeline to an

approximate of 8000 residents of San Pablo City.

Cabunsod Spring, the first water source for the San Pablo City is about 6 kilometers away from the

poblacion. Historically, before it was utilized by the San Pablo Water District, the same spring was used

by the Spanish friars 60 to 80 years earlier. The administration of San Pablo added more water sources

after the Cabunsod Springs. The National Waterworks and Sewerage Administration (NAWASA) tapped

the Malabanban Spring and Lubigan Spring. Because of the rehabilitation, development and the tapping

of more water sources in San Pablo, many residents were provided with approximately 10,000 cubic

meters of water every day.

Through time, the population of the city is increasing and the growing economy became a problem

with the supply and demand of water. That time, they experienced sudden fluctuations with the supply of

water and the maintenance of the piped water systems. NAWASA wasn’t able to handle the problem so it

was returned to the local government paving the way for San Pablo Water District.
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This research aims to have an understanding about the hydrologic cycle of San Pablo Water District

and to provide an analysis on how they operate. Furthermore, it aims to determine the main source of

their water supply and how they distribute it to water consumers more specifically to the residents of San

Pablo City. An interview was conducted to provide the necessary information such as the information

about the capacity and locations of their pumping stations, process of filtering and sanitizing water

before entering to the houses, and the methods of how water can be potable and safe for use. This

information can help the future generations to find strategies that can help preserve the water to meet the

needs of the people. It is also very much important to verify if the water being distributed to the city pass

the national standards for potable water.

The researchers are also concerned with problems they are dealing with and how they address the

situation, some examples are complains from the clients, piping system disturbances, water shortage,

and how they cope up during the seasons of El Niño and La Niña phenomenon. Statistics are also

important in this matter whereas this can help us fully understand the process of hydrologic cycle that is

why another objective of this study to gather information about the scope of pipe water distribution, the

number of barangays they are supplying, the amount of supply and demand, and the total rated monthly

production of water. Another purpose of this research is to collect bacteriological, laboratory, and water

quality tests to study the water being distributed to ensure the safeness of the residents.

In addition, this study also aims to familiarize on how to use such water budget equations in the

field, and how precipitation, infiltration systems, evaporation, run-off and etc. affect the water supply of

the district. In addition, service connections from San Pablo City Water District is to be studied to be

knowledgeable about the history of their service and why they are awarded with numerous excellence
awards as a water provider. Above all, the main goal is to lead the researchers to be knowledgeable

about some of the applications of the course Hydrology in the real world that will clearly help them to

further understand, be familiar, and gain experiences about the Hydrological concepts and theories.

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Water has always been significant in human lifestyle. From the first civilization up to now, we

see water as a necessity in which no one can imagine living without. Hydrology is one of the major

contributors in developing health and economic sustainability in the human society. As many decades

passes by, we continue to strive and produces innovation that are specified and concentrated in the

betterment of water services across many cities and other human habitat areas. In this paper, the

researcher aims to gain information about San Pablo City Water District. And additionally, to ask for

hydrological data that are significant with the processes that they conduct with the water to produce a

quality that is suitable for household services. This study is sure to produce educational information that

shall contribute with the realization of how a typical city water district deals with water shortage and

other water problems and the real explanation behind such events.

Aside from water related problems, the researcher shall explain the use of hydrological data

gained and hydrological studies conducted by the water district to give insight of its connection with the

water supply and the services provided by the water district itself. This paper shall also give basic

information about months or seasons where we are expected to have water supply at its best and worst

by explaining further the hydrologic cycle in order for any local residents to have general knowledge

and to prevent any unnecessary complains. And lastly, the researchers hope to see this paper as a helpful

material for future researchers for the creation of innovative ideas concerning water related studies.
IV. DISCUSSIONS AND FINDINGS

San Pablo City is a center of commerce, finance and education in Laguna province. It is a small city

in Southern Luzon consisting of 80 barangays that has a total population of approximately 248, 890

(NSO 2010). It has a growth rate of 1.81% and a population density of 1, 260 per square kilometers.

Comparing to the growing neighboring cities like San Pedro and Calamba, City of San Pablo is two to

twelve times smaller in terms of population. One of the main livelihoods in San Pablo City is agriculture.

Actually, agriculture is about 85% of the main source of income of the residents in San Pablo City. It is

rich in different crops like pineapple, fruits, and vegetables. Coconut businesses are also large in San

Pablo wherein production of desiccated coconut and cooking oil is massive. Furthermore, it is one of the

most beautiful cities in South Luzon wherein many preserved nature like forests and lakes are to be

found.

The abundance in groundwater enables San Pablo City to provide their potable water from deep

wells and springs. Those deep wells and springs are located away from communities to avoid

contamination of water around congested areas. Hills, forest and green crop lands are the suitable places

they installed their pumping stations.

San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD) is a government corporation amended under PD 198

providing safe and improved water quality for a better quality of life. It is the main water district of San

Pablo City in line with other main water service providers across Luzon like NAWASA, Manila Water

Company and Laguna Water. It is the water district that mainly supplies potable and affordable water in

the entire city.

4.1 SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY

San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD) is currently a huge water district consisting of 8 springs

and 12 production wells as their source of water supply.

The table below shows the pertinent data about the monthly and annual production of water in the year

2013.

TABLE 4.1.1. Springs’ Prodution 2013

SPRINGS ELEVATION LOCATION YEAR 2013 PRODUCTION 2013

MADE MONTHLY
(meters) (Barangay) (Cubic Meters) AVE.
PRODUCTIO
N (Cubic
Meters)
Cabunsod 200 Sto. Angel 1915 1,663,190 138,599
Malabanban 184 Sto. Angel 1960 1,333,028 111,086
& Lubigan
Malaunod 126 San Jose 1978 3,512,585 292,715
Malamig 180 San Diego 1986 1,881,075 156,756
Balanga 93 Sta. Elena 1996 1,761,700 146,808
Lagaslasan- - San Ignacio 2008 1,408,721 117,393
Bulk Supply
Baloc-Bulk - San Ignacio 2008 17,456 1,455
Supply
SUBTOTAL 11,577,752 964,812

TABLE 4.1.2. Production Wells Production 2013

PRODUCTION DEPTH LOCATION YEAR 2013 2013 MONTHLY

WELLS MADE PRODUCTION AVE.
(meters) (Barangay) PRODUCTION
(Cubic Meter) (Cubic Meters)
San Mateo - San Mateo 1996 23,480 1,957
Sta. Catalina - Sta. Catalina 1976 25,232 2,103
San Marcos-1 150 San Marcos 1997 482,629 40,219
Central 150 San Pablo 1998 264,249a 22,021
Central
Elementary
 San Pedro 250 San Pedro 1998 120,917 10,076
Maharlika 150 SPCWD 1998 224,120 18,677
Compound
Maharlika
Sto. Angel 150 Sto. Angel 1997 0 0
Israel - San Antonio 2001 0 0
San Marcos-2 150 San Marcos 2005 442,985 36,915
Concepcion 249 Concepcion 2006 786,409 65,534
San Cristobal 150 San Cristobal 2005 310,900 25,908
Sta. Veronica 150 Sta. Veronica 2006 0 0
SUBTOTAL 2,680,921 223,411
GRAND TOTAL 14,258,673 1,188,223

As of 2013, the average monthly production of all sources is 1,188,223 cubic meters and on the

other hand 14, 258,673 cubic meters for the whole 2013. Considering the 248, 890 people of San Pablo

experiencing the 14,258,673 cubic meters of water for the whole year of 2013, 60 cubic meters of water

was used by each resident for the whole year which is equal to 0.16 cubic meters of water per person per

day. Since the average water usage per person per day in the Philippines is 160-165 Liters, the 0.16

cubic meters per day is in the range and it will be just sufficient enough to use for drinking, taking a bath,

cooking, cleaning and other chores that involve using of water.

TABLE 4.1.3. Springs’ And Production Wells Production 2016

SPRINGS ELEVATION LOCATION YEAR 2016 PRODUCTION 2016

MADE MONTHLY
(meters) (Barangay) (Cubic Meters) AVE.
PRODUCTIO
N (Cubic
Meters)
Cabunsod 200 Sto. Angel 1915 1,494, 428 124,536
Malabanban& 184 Sto. Angel 1960 1,327,360 118,806
Lubigan
Malaunod 126 San Jose 1978 3,362,371 307, 322
Malamig 180 San Diego 1986 1,900,349 158,362
Balanga 93 Sta. Elena 1996 1,777,147 148,096
Bulk Supply - San Ignacio 2008 1,767,651 147,304
 SUBTOTAL 11,629,306 1,004,426
All Production - - - 2,312,739 192,728
Wells
GRAND TOTAL 13, 942,045 1,197,154

As of 2016, Cabunsod Spring Overflow has an average daily production of 4,040 cubic meters

which is good to provide water for 4000 households assuming a use of 1 cubic meter per households,

while Malabanban-Lubigan has an average daily production of 3,832 cubic meters good for 3800

households. These two springs are the most economical spring because it does not uses electricity;

gravity is enough due to its high elevation. Next is Malaunod Spring which has an average daily

production of 9,324 cubic meters which is good for 9300 households, this spring is the largest in terms

of volume but it uses electricity because of the three 30 horsepower generator which causes a 3 million

electricity bill, its total production is the combination of Malabanban and Cabunsod’s total production.

Next is Malamig Spring which has an average daily production of 5,233 cubic meters good for 5200

households, it has 3 intake boxes because of its numerous outlet of water. Last is Balanga Spring which

has an average daily production of 4,856 cubic meters good for 4800 households, it uses two 100

horsepower and one 60 horsepower generator because of its low elevation.

On the other hand the total production of bulk supply for 2016 is 1,767,651 cubic meters which is

13 % of the total annual production and the total production of all production wells as of 2016 is

2,312,739 cubic meters which is 17% of the total annual production. The total annual production of 13,

942, 045 cubic meters of water is just enough for the daily use of the residents of San Pablo City

Laguna.
FIGURE 4.1.1. Division Of Pumped Vs. Gravity

As observed in the pie graph, it is the division of the use of pump versus gravity. 6,489,788 out of

13,942,045 cubic meters of water which is equal to 47 percent of the total annual production uses pump

to generate water. The main reason why they use pumps is because of the low elevation of the springs or

wells; the pressure of the flow of water needs to be increase to reach households, on the other hand it has

a disadvantage in the use of electricity, it will cost too much unlike with the use of gravity. Through

gravity there is a 7,452,257 cubic meters of water produced in year 2016.

4.2. SECTIONS OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

The San Pablo City Water District is

divided into six (6) distinct sub-systems.

System is currently divided according to the

type of water source.

(1) Springs Supplied by Gravity

(2) Springs Supplied by Pumping

(3) Production Wells with Filtration Systems

(4) Production Wells which feed Reservoir

(5) Production Wells that feed Directly into

Transmission Lines

(6) Bulk Water

Spring supplied by gravity is a system wherein the spring in which the water issues simply in

response to the direct action or direct pull of gravity. It is a system that requires no advanced

technologies. The usual components of these type of systems are the source, major pipeline, storage and

break-pressure tanks, distribution pipelines and tap stands. The springs that use this kind of system are

those at the base of the upper zone of San Pablo City. The springs under this sub-system are Cabunsod

Spring, Malabanban and Lubigan Springs and Malamig Springs. On the other hand, spring supplied by

pumping is a system that uses obviously uses pumps. By mechanical action, the water is forced to make

fluid movement and steady flow. Springs that are with pumps are Malaunod Springs and Balanga

Springs. These two sub-systems only require chlorination to ensure the cleanliness and safety of water.
 Compare to springs with pumps or

gravity, production wells entails an

additive cost. Production Wells with

Filtration System includes the San

Pedro, Central, San Marcos-2,

Maharlika, San Cristobal, Sta. Veronica

and Sto. Angel Production Wells.

Among these pipes are not operational

and are not utilized. According to SPCWD, there are only 3 production wells with filtration system are

being utilized and that are San Pedro DW, Central DW, and San Marcos-2 DW. Next is the production

wells which feed reservoir. The SPCWD has two main storage tanks reservoir named Sampaloc

Reservoir and Timber Tank Reservoir. The Concepcion Production Well is the one filling the

concrete-made Sampaloc Reservoir while the San Cristobal Production Well is the one feeding the

Timber tanks which are now made up of steel.

Next system of production wells are those fed directly to the transmission lines. It is a system

accompanied with flow meter. The production wells that are fed directly to the transmission lines are

San Marcos-1 and Sta. Catalina. Lastly, the bulk water is the water intended for potable uses transported

from place to place by tank trucks. The spring sources were developed and then interconnected to San

Pablo City Water District distribution system by a company named SIG Construction Inc. This company

is the one operating and maintaining the two spring sources as San Pablo City Water District purchases

water from it. But regulatory precautions are always executed by treating the water supplied and must

pass the standards. Bi-party sampling and testing of water are always conducted during Bulk System.
4.3 .SAN PABLO CITY WATER DISTRICT UTILIZING PUMPS

Water pumps are mechanical devices that drive water to a desired place. It has an electric motor that

has an impeller or drives a centrifugal pump. Its main function is to increase the pressure in pipes and of

course regulate the flow of water in the pipes.

The San Pablo City Water District has several pumping stations. It is consists of 12 utilizing pumps

or pumping stations comprising a total of 16 pump units, each of different pump capacity. Since San

Pablo City is composed of higher and lower portions there is still a need of utility pumps to increase the

pressure of the flow of water to households.

TABLE 4.3.1. Utilizing Pumps Of SPCWD

UTILIZING PUMPS PUMP UNIT/S PUMP CAPACITY (HP)

Malaunod Pumping Station
Balanga Pumping Station
San Mateo Production Well
Sta. Catalina Production
Well
San Marcos Production
Well-1
San Marcos Production
Well-2
Central Production Well
San Pedro Production Well
& Boosting Station
Maharlika Production Well
Sto. Angel Production Well
Israel Production Well
3 30
2 100
1 60
1 15
1 5
1 50
1 50
1 50
1 30
1 30
1 25
1 60
1 3
4.4. WATER STORAGE RESERVOIRS

Water Storage Reservoirs are containers for

storing water for commercial and residential

applications. It includes two parameters. The first

one is the general design of the tank. Design is

the preliminary factor to consider in establishing

a water storage tank. Water storage tanks are

designed to prevent leakage and be crack-free.

Some water storage tanks are in the shape of a rectangle or a circle. Second one is the choice of material

for construction. There are numerous construction materials possibly considered in water storage tanks,

some are plastics, fiberglass, wood, stone, concrete, steel and much more.

In San Pablo City, water storage tanks are in circular shape. The San Pablo City Water District’s

main storage reservoir is located in Sampaloc, on the side of Sampaloc Lake. It is a circular single cell

reinforced concrete reservoir having a huge storage capacitiy of 6, 390 cubic meters and elevated from

the ground by 146 meters. It is constructed in 1976 and is still operational up to this date. The springs

and production wells that feed the reservoir are Cabunsod Spring, Malamig Spring, Malaunod Spring,

Malabanban & Lubigan Spring and Concepcion Production Well.

 Another main water storage tank in San Pablo City is the San Cristobal Timber Tank constructed in

1996. It has a storage capacity of 1,700 cubic meters, elevated 160 m from the ground. It is made up of

timber with outer cable wire support and inner plastic lining. Timber tank storage water are sustainable

and cost effective water storage. But recently, it underwent a major rehabilitation or renovation whereas

timber was replaced to steel bolted construction material. It was rehabilitated all because of the

weather phenomenon causing destructions to the timber water storage tanks. The one that feeds the

reservoir is the Balanga Pumping Station

Aside from these two main water storage tanks, there are still 7 small tanks from pre-World War II

that are made up of steel. Four of these tanks are antiquated but are still operational and still serves as

storage for San Mateo Production Well. On the other hand, the remaining 3 steel tanks are storage for the

Sta. Catalina Production Well and are no longer operational

4.5. TREATMENT AND FILTRATION

Untreated water contains millions of bacteria and germs that can cause diseases to humans. Some of

the possible causes could be gastrointestinal infections like waterborne diseases, Otitis externa,

pseudomonas, cryptosporidiosis, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, Hepatitis A and other skin and eye

infections. These germs and bacteria came from animal wastes like faeces and could come along with

the water supplied if not prevented from contamination or pollution. To prevent this kind of events,

proper water treatments and filtration systems must be executed before the distribution of the water to

the city. Just like any other water district, San Pablo City Water District uses chlorination and other

infiltration treatments to ensure the cleanliness and safeness of the water being provided in the city. They

are the only water district with the approved water safety plan.

Gas Chlorination is the process of disinfecting the water primarily with the use of chlorine and is

successfully used by water districts and other water companies for decades. It is one of the most popular

water treatments that are definitely reliable. Just like what we know about swimming pools being

cleaned by chlorine, water flowing through the pipes that are used in commercial and residential

buildings are being cleaned through the chlorination process to eliminate the bacteria, algae and other

unnecessary and harmful chemicals. SPCWD uses either the gas chlorinator or hypo-chlorinator in all of

the water facilities they have. Gas chlorinator is a device used by SPCWD to continuously provide

constant supply of chlorine. It is also used to regularly monitor the residual chlorine in the pipes by the

laboratory personnel. Gas Chlorination is one of the most successful water treatments ever. It has so

many applications like improving the taste, safety, and odour of drinking water, cleaning industrial

process water and wastewater, algae and slime control and of course citrus canker destructions.
 San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD) also uses the Manganese Greensand through oxidation or

filtration. Manganese Greensand is capable of reducing or eliminating other unnecessary chemicals like

iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), iron in

water is considered as a secondary contaminant. Although it does not have direct bad impact on the

health of an individual, it primarily focuses on the taste odour and colour of the water. This type of

treatment was found to be effective years prior to World War II. It is catalytic and is not soluble. It is one

of the most cost effective treatments to treat water if iron and manganese are very dominated in the water.

SPCWD under the Manganese Greensand Treatment utilizes Hi-Rate Permanent Media Filtration

System to improve the quality of water extracted from some of its production wells. This filtration

system was first installed in the year 2000 at San Pedro Production Well, year 2003 at Central

Production Well, year 2004 at Maharlika Production Well.

Another water treatment used by San Pablo City Water District is Soda-Ash Treatment. Soda Ash

Treatment is a water treatment that increases the pH of acidic water. This treatment also reduced the

hardness of the water. According to APEC Water, raw water source has 35 to 40 grains the usual for

local water systems, but if soda-ash is to be added the hardness reduces to 5 and 10 grains. According to

experts, if Soda Ash is used with chlorine, mixed and dissolved the soda ash early into the tank before

the chlorine. Lastly, one of the newest water treatments available in San Pablo City Water District is the

UV Water Purification Systems. This type of treatment emits UV light of a specific wavelength that can

destroy the DNA and nucleic acids of the micro-organisms. It is specified to kill bacteria, viruses and

cysts from the water. According to SPCWD, this treatment is great in combatting E. Coli Bacteria along

the pipes.
TABLE 4.5.1. Water Treatment Done On The Sources

Water Treatment
Water
System Off- Disinfection with Oxidation/Filtratio Neutralizati
Ground Sources Spec Chlorine n on
Para Chlorine Chlorine
Water Gas w/ Granules Manganese Greensand Soda Ash
meter
Chlorinato w/ w/o Treatment
s r feed feed
pump pump
A.SPRINGS
1.Springs with Malaunod 
pumps Balanga 
2. Springs by Upper 
gravity Malamig
Cabunsod
A-6”pipe 
B-6”pipe
Malabanban
A-6”pipe
B-12”pipe 
3. Bulk Water a.Lagaslasa Low  
(by gravity) n pH
b. Baloc 
B.DEEP WELLS
1.Production Concepcion 
well with DW
Reservoir San Mateo 
Deep Well
2.Production San Marcos 
Well direct 1 DW
pumping Sta. Catalina 
DW
3.Production Central DW Color  
Well with Manga
Filtration nese
San Pedro Color  
DW Iron
San Marcos Color  
2 DW Iron
Turbid
ity
4.6. WATER QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS

Since San Pablo City is a water service provider providing potable water extracted from springs

and deep wells or purchased from Bulk Supply Water Supplier (SIG Construction Inc.). The delivered

water should meet the water quality standards set by the Department of Health (DOH) and Local Water

Utilities Administration (LWUA). The water quality targets are solely based on the Philippine National

Standards for Drinking Water 2007. Some quality parameters like iron, manganese and hydrogen

sulphide are set higher as conform to the International Standards. Filtration, Neutralization and

Disinfection chemicals are procured from approved chemical manufacturers. The water supplied by the

San Pablo City Water District shall be intended for general consumptions by ingestion. It shall also be

used for laundry, washing utensils and purpose of cleaning. Users of the supplied water are the public

people, commerce and industries. These specifications are very important for the residents to know the

limitation of usage of the water being distributed by the San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD).

TABLE 4.6.1 Microbiological Components For Water Quality

A. MICROBIOLOGICAL

Total Coliform < 1.1 MPN

Fecal Coliform < 1.1 MPN

Heterotropic Plate Count < 500 CFU/ml

TABLE 4.6.2 Physical/Chemical Components For Water Quality

B. PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL

pH 6.5-8.5

Turbidity 5 NTU

Apparent Colour 10 COLOR UNITS

True Colour 5 COLOR UNITS

 Total Dissolved Solids 500 mg/L

Chloride 250 mg/L

Nitrate 50 mg/L

Sulfate 250 mg/L

Arsenic 0.01 mg/L

Cadmium 0.003 mg/L

Lead 0.01 mg/L

Iron 1.0 mg/L

Manganese 0.4 mg/L

Benzene 0.01 mg/L

TABLE 4.6.3 Radiological Components For Water Quality

C. RADIOLOGICAL

Constituents Activity Level (Bq/liter)

Gross Alpha Activity 0.1(excluding radon)

Gross Beta 1.0

Radon 11 (MCL)

OTHER PHYISCAL/ CHEMICAL PARAMETERS

TRIHALOMETHANES- generated as by-products of chlorination of drinking water. Being formed

naturally occurring organic compounds

TABLE 4.6.4 Trihalomethane Components For Water Quality

TRIHALOMETHANES ACCEPTABLE LIMIT

BROMOFORM 0.1

DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE 0.1

BROMODICHLOROMETHANE 0.06

CHLOROFORM 0.2
4.7. TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

According to SPCWD, the total transmission and distribution network of SPCWD is approximately

261, 488 meters long. The materials used for the pipes distributed vary in diameter, material and length.

Some areas use Centrifugal Cast Iron (CCI), old Asbestos Cement (AC), Steel, and of course the most

popular among the pipe materials which is the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

TABLE 4.7.1 Transmission And Distribution Lines Of Spcwd

PIPE MATERIAL PIPE DIAMETER LENGTH OF PIPE (in linear meter)

(mm)

Centrifugal Cast Iron 100-300 20,400

Steel 150-300 200

Cement Lined and Coated Steel 150-450 24,512

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 50-200 244,466

Galvanized Iron (GI) 50-100 12,533

Asbestos Cement (AC) 75-150 9,454

TOTAL 311,565

According to SPCWD, the table above with materials are to be updated from time to time. Example

is the Asbestos Cement which is now undergoing rehabilitation and replacement. Since it’s the era of

new pipe technologies, some materials will be replaced with the new ones from the market. For the last

two years they have been expanding their transmission lines to 79 out of 80 barangays. For easy, fast

and accurate access to vital field information, phase one of SPCWD Geographical Information System

which digitized old and new pipelines, service connections, valves, hydrants and septic locations was

completed.
4.8. PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ENCOUNTERED

There is no assurance that water is always at its best state, problems can always be encounter. E-coli

bacteria is the number one enemy of water district, they need to disinfect water and even pipes through

the use of chlorination, they are regulating the chlorine dosage everyday by checking the end users if

there is a residual chlorine, because if there's it is safe while if there's no residual it means that the

chlorine are well used for the disinfection of pipes and if this happen they need to increase the dosage of

chlorine. Aside from chlorination they uses UV lights to safeguard the quality of water because some

pipes they are using are already a hundred year old but this pipes are still working very well, yet the

problem here is that they do not know the actual size of the inner diameter of the pipe because as time

goes by materials such as steel shrink or expands in depend with the season.

Another problem of the water district is the natural phenomenon. There is a time when the

production of their water came down by 50 percent; this is because of the El Nino. 80 percent of their

water supply came from groundwater, and since springs are highly susceptible to climate some sources

shut down, meaning productions of water fluctuate in depend with the season, as a result they need to

develop other source to meet the needs of the people. They discover that during this season, only

Malamig springs has an overflow they rehabilitate this which leads to a good result of adding 5000 cubic

meter of water per day which helps 5000 households to get enough water. When it comes to La Nina

season they have no problem, because when there is too much precipitation flashfloods just happens

quickly because of the mountains in line with the area and they have two dams which prevent the flow

of the water. These dams are being check regularly to maintain its structure and capacity. Production

wells are the additional sources of water they develop to fill the needs of the residents when springs are

not available, although it causes additional cost because of the filtration system.
 When it comes with the community issue, there is a peak hour which runs from 5 am to 8 am,

almost all faucets are open, water supply becomes weak and since spring cannot be shut down they

develop a reservoir in where they can save water which are not use in the evening, in this case water

supply at peak hours is just at normal condition. In addition with, June or July are the month where

spring sources are weak because water is re-charging when rainy seasons, 3-6 months before it came

down through the ground water, that is why December is when water supply becomes good, but the

irony in this is that there is no much use of water in the month of December because of its weather,

while April is when the demand goes higher. Supply and demand are hard balance but it has worked

with.
V. CONCLUSIONS

Sources of water of San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD) have been identified after

conducting the interview. There were eight (8) springs and twelve (12) production wells. In order for the

water to be potable and safe for use, SPCWD uses Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purification, Gas Chlorination,

Manganese Greensand through oxidation and filtration and Soda Ash Treatment. Water produced is then

tested to ensure it passes the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water mandated by the

Department of Health.

Unlike other water works, water shortage has never been a problem of SPCWD. However, the

problem they encountered was the water distribution. There were households that were too far and high

for the water to reach. To resolve this, they installed production wells near the areas. Another problem is

the customers’ complaints. A peak hour for water is 6 am, almost all household will consume water at

that time and the flow rate of water is lesser than usual. Sampaloc Reservoir was built to aid this issue,

to increase the pressure for water to reach distant places at an acceptable flow rate. As of now, SPCWD

is serving 79 of the 80 barangays of the city and average monthly production of water is 1,161, 837 cum.

The main goal of leading the students to be familiar and experience real life application has been

successfully accomplished. The study resulted to the clear understanding of some of the concepts of

hydrology when it pertains to groundwater storage and distribution.

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS

For the future it is recommended to obtain samples from the sources and to research more about

the hydrologic cycle that occurs. In addition to that, more interviews and conduct surveys around the

prospect area to obtain neutral results. These interviews correspond to the interviews that should be

conducted with the assigned Engineers in every department of San Pablo City Water District. Since the

interviewee was a spokesperson of San Pablo City Water District, the information given are wide but not

enough to support fully this research. In that way, information and data obtained would be complete,

very specific and accurate. This recommendation is for the benefit of the researchers and for the

improvement of the research itself. Another recommendation for the improvement of this research is to

conduct site visits. The researchers only did an interview and pictures presented are from San Pablo City

Water District’s picture collection of the springs and production wells. It is recommended to perform or

conduct a site visit of the springs and production wells of San Pablo City Water District. By that,

students would be more engaged to the project resulting to a better understanding of the piped water

system of San Pablo City Water District.