Butuan's water crisis: A daily struggle for basic needs

For many Butuan City residents, waiting for water has become part of everyday life. Some stay awake late at night, not because of work or personal obligations, but because they are waiting for water to flow so they can fill containers, drums and other storage vessels for the following day.

Others have learned to ration whatever water they manage to collect, carefully dividing supplies for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes and other household needs.

“For many of us Butuanons, having water in our homes has become something we have to wait for, chase, save, and sometimes pay an unreasonable price for,” resident Faith Kristine Yu wrote in a public post on Sept. 10.

Yu described how some families have adjusted their routines around uncertain water availability, including staying awake late at night to collect water whenever supply becomes available.

The problem, she said, extends beyond households. Small businesses that rely on water for daily operations are also affected when supply becomes unreliable.

What is the cost of water in Butuan during the shortage?

For some residents, the search for water has come at an additional cost. Yu claimed that some Butuanons have paid as much as P800 for a cubic meter of water, equivalent to about 1,000 liters or dozens of household water containers during periods of shortage.

For households already managing daily expenses, residents said the added cost of obtaining water has become another financial burden. For small business owners, it can mean reduced earnings and additional operating expenses.

Are there health risks from the water shortage?

Beyond the financial strain, the continuing shortage has also raised concerns about possible health risks as households rely on stored water and alternative sources.

The Butuan City Health Board is preparing preventive measures against possible waterborne illnesses after Mayor Lawrence Fortun directed the body to strengthen safeguards related to the use of unsafe water, according to the city government.

Health officials reminded residents that rationed water from the Butuan City Water District is intended only for non-potable household activities such as washing, laundry, cleaning and other domestic uses. Officials warned that the supply should not be used for drinking, even after filtration, and advised residents to rely only on safe and approved drinking water sources.

The city also advised households to properly clean and cover water storage containers and avoid contamination from unclean hands, cups or other objects. Residents experiencing symptoms after using uncertain water sources were encouraged to seek medical attention and report cases to local health authorities.

How are Butuan residents coping with the water crisis?

“This is not simply an inconvenience,” Yu wrote, describing how the shortage affects sleep, businesses, hygiene, families and livelihoods.

She said many residents have lived with the problem for years, storing water whenever it becomes available, purchasing additional supplies when shortages occur, and adjusting their daily lives around an unreliable supply.

The frustration has also surfaced in online discussions, where residents shared their own experiences with water availability and rising expenses.

One resident claimed their water bill increased to around P2,000 for September even before the month ended, despite continuing concerns over supply. The resident also said they were advised to keep their water meter locked outside and were repeatedly told to check for possible leaks. These claims require verification from the concerned water provider.

Other residents expressed frustration over the continuing difficulty of accessing water, with some saying households have been forced to repeatedly seek alternative sources because of the shortage.

For many families, residents said the issue has gone beyond inconvenience and has become a daily struggle affecting basic needs.

Yu said communities are not asking for special treatment but reliable access to a basic necessity.

“We are not asking for luxury,” she wrote. “We are asking for reliable access to something every human being needs every single day.”

What is the city government doing about the water supply?

The concerns come as the city government continues exploring measures to augment water supply, including coordination with private stakeholders and the use of available water facilities.

For many Butuanons, however, the immediate concern remains simple: having enough water when they need it.

“A city cannot truly move forward when one of its most basic necessities remains a daily struggle for its people,” Yu wrote.

“Water should flow from our faucets, not become another burden on the backs of hardworking Butuanons.”