SILTATION MANAGEMENT TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY IN BUHISAN DAM

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An Undergraduate Thesis

Presented to the

Department of Civil Engineering

University of San Carlos

Cebu City, Philippines

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In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements of English 23

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by

GROUP 3

NICHOLLE GRACE DHOREEN CENIZA

JAY MAR B. COLLADO

DOMINIC OUANO

FRANCIS SUICO TECLING

HERMES TAN SALINAS JR.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL SHEET -----------

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -----------

ABSTRACT -----------

TABLE OF CONTENTS -----------

LIST OF TABLES -----------

LIST OF FIGURES -----------

1 CHAPTER

1.1 INTRODUCTION -----------

1.1.1 Rationale of the Study -----------

1.1.2 Theoretical Background -----------

1.2 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE -----------

1.2.1 Statement of the Problem -----------

1.2.2 Significance of the Study -----------

1.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY -----------

1.3.1 Research Environment -----------

1.3.2 Research Participants/Respondents -----------

 1.3.3 Research Instruments -----------

1.3.4 Research Procedure -----------

1.3.4.1 Gathering of Data -----------

1.3.4.2 Treatment of Data -----------

1.4 DEFINITION OF TERMS -----------

1.5 REFERENCES -----------

1.6 Appendices (Survey Questionnaire or/and Interview Questions) -----------

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

Buhisan Dam has been supplying the local residents of Cebu with potable water for a century. It is

under the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for maintenance and supplies five percent of its total water

supply, serving as its main surface water source. Over the years, the dam’s capacity to supply water has

diminished due to heavy siltation. With the rising demand for water in Metro Cebu and the daily water

distribution deficit faced by MCWD, there is a need to impose sustainable siltation management techniques

in order to optimize the dam’s water production capacity.

Few local studies have given attention to the water supply in Cebu. In a study conducted by Van

Engelen (2003), he pointed out that understanding nature's water supply system is essential for a sound

management of a water distribution system. A study conducted by JICA (2010), stated that surface water

development is recommended to promote immediately for long-term measures. Moreover, there have been

numerous studies focusing on the siltation in dams. Mama & Okafor (2010) focused on the sediment

accumulation in reservoirs, stating that that the amount of silt present in any reservoir is attributed to

the geological nature of the area surrounding it. Ali & Shakir (2018) also utilized a sediment

transport model along with GIS software in their study to determine sediment inflow, pattern

and rate of deposition in the Chashma Reservoir. Moreover, Wang, et al. (2018) synthesized both

general siltation management strategies and past siltation management efforts in Taiwan.

However, these studies are limited to the particular purpose, geological location, history, political

affiliations and other factors of the reservoirs in question. Thus, there is a need to conduct a study

on Buhisan dam for the reason that its qualities cannot be generalized with every other dam. As
stated by to Schleiss et al. (2009), management of sedimentation cannot be apprehended by a

standard generalized procedure. However, as part of the scope of this study, the researchers only

focused on its depleting water production capacity due to siltation alone, without going in-depth

to another cause: climate change. Another is that this study did not delve into the economics of the

management techniques.

Hence, this study aims to assess the siltation problem in Buhisan Dam and to investigate

the appropriate siltation management measures to maximize its capacity to supply potable water

to the residents of Cebu City through MCWD. This study is in line with the DOCE’s Research

Agenda about water. Through this study, the findings can be used by the MCWD, engineers and

the local government in addressing the issues concerning the state of Buhisan dam.

Theoretical Background

Batuca and Joordan (2010) defined siltation or sedimentation as sediment being held back

in the reservoir as a result of an interruption of the natural flow of water. Furthermore, Mama and

Okafor (2011), stated that reservoirs created by dams on rivers get silt through river water. A

significant proportion of the sediments settles down in the reservoir, thus reducing the space

available for water storage and produces structural damages to the dam.

According to Mahmood (1987), silting of reservoirs is reducing the storage capacity of the

world’s reservoirs by more than 1% per year. Morris and Fan (2009) pointed out that declining

storage reduces and eventually eliminates the capacity for flow regulation and with it, all water

supply and flood control benefits.

 A study conducted by Mama and Okafor (2011) highlighted the implications of siltation in

reservoirs and emphasized that although siltation cannot be eliminated, it can be controlled by

employing some practices. The results obtained on various rainfalls attested that siltation is totally

dependent on rainfall intensity, duration, ground moisture content and the soil type. The amount

of silt present in any reservoir is attributed to the geological nature of the area surrounding the

reservoir. If the area is rich in silt, definitely any reservoir located within the area will have a

greater proportion of silt in any sediment transported to the reservoir.

According to Schleiss, et al. (2009), there is a strong need to limit sediment

accumulation in reservoirs in order to ensure their sustainable use. Management of sedimentation

cannot be apprehended by a standard generalized procedure. Furthermore, sediment management

is not limited to the reservoir itself. Every situation has to be analyzed in order to determine the

best combination of solutions to be applied.

Wang, et al. (2018) defined sustainable reservoirs as those (a) whose life and reservoir

capacity is maintained indefinitely, (b) whose economic value is positive when taking a full life

cycle approach, and (c) that provide intergenerational equity by not burdening future generations

with the social, environmental, or economic costs of natural resource use of previous generations.

Ali and Shakir (2018) utilized GSTARS-3 (Generalized Sediment Transport for Alluvial Ricers)

sediment transport model along with GIS software in their study to determine sediment inflow,

pattern and rate of deposition in the Chashma Reservoir.

Wang, et al. (2018) synthesized both general sediment management strategies and past

sediment management efforts in Taiwan in order to identify the barriers to more effective sediment

management in reservoirs globally. A review of the broader literature and six Taiwan case studies
was conducted to examine the characteristics, limitations, costs, and effectiveness of different

sediment management strategies. From their study, it was concluded that social barriers to

reservoir sustainability includes the crisis-response approach to addressing sedimentation and the

low priority for sediment management. Technical and economic barriers also exist, driven

primarily by the engineering challenges and costs of retrofitting existing dams with new

infrastructure to flush or bypass sediment. For new and existing dams, sediment management

strategies should be evaluated on the basis of cost and efficiency rather than continuing to dredge

because of its technical simplicity. Finally, a number of site conditions, such as road access or

valley geometry, may impact the suitability of any given sediment management practice at a site.
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to assess the siltation problem in Buhisan Dam and to investigate the

appropriate siltation management measures to maximize its capacity to supply potable water to

the residents of Cebu City through MCWD.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is Buhisan Dam’s estimated water supply reduction due to siltation

since it was operational in 1911?

2. What siltation management technique(s) is/are deemed most optimal for the

dam in terms of:

a. Diverting the sediment through or around the reservoir

b. Removing sediment that has already been deposited

c. Minimizing the amount of sediment reaching the reservoir from

upstream

3. What problems do the MCWD concessionaires experience regarding the water

supply system?

Significance of the Study

This study would be beneficial to the following:

 To the Residents of Mandaue City, that this study will provide them with crucial

information of when the scarcity of water supply happens and for them to be prepared.

To the Staff Workers of MCWD, that this study will supply them with more data and

additional knowledge regarding the condition of Buhisan Dam and its ability to supply water to

the residents of Mandaue City.

To the Residents of Buhisan, that this study will grant them with the idea and knowledge

of the effects of water level in Buhisan Dam to their community.

To the future researchers, that this study could serve as a primary or secondary paper for

their research.
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study utilizes a quantitative-qualitative method of research to assess the siltation

problem in Buhisan Dam. The quantitative method will be used in determining the dam’s

estimated water supply reduction due to siltation since it was operational in 1912. On the

contrary, the qualitative method will be used in analyzing the consequences of the dam’s

depleting water supply to the MCWD concessionaires within Cebu City. Moreover, a

combination of the methods will be used in evaluating the appropriate techniques to manage the

heavy siltation.

Research Environment

The study will be conducted in chosen barangays within Cebu City namely: Talamban,

Pit-os, Banilad and Lahug. The researchers choose these areas for gathering data since these

barangays experience frequent water service interruptions. The researchers will also gather data

in the MCWD district office in Talamban.

Research Data

The researchers of this study will conduct an interview to elicit data to be used for the

analysis of Buhisan Dam’s siltation effects to its water level and water production capacity. The

data will also be used as factors to be considered in choosing the siltation management

techniques appropriate for its current state. The MCWD consumers’ experiences will be used to

analyze the dam’s effectiveness in attaining its purpose to the residents of Cebu City.
Research Respondents

The respondents for the interview will be composed of officials from MCWD responsible

for the operation of Buhisan Dam. The researchers will make use of proportionate stratified

random sampling in choosing the respondents for the survey. This technique will be employed to

ensure a fairly equal representation of the four barangays in reference to their population (see

Appendix A for the 2015 Census). The 169 respondents will be composed of twelve residents of

Pit-os, sixty-four residents of Talamban, sixteen residents of Banilad and seventy-seven residents

of Lahug.

Research Instruments

For the purposes of this study, a survey and an interview will be used. The researchers

will use a survey in the form of a questionnaire. The researchers will also design an interview

schedule as another instrument for this study. The interview questions will be aimed at eliciting

relevant data regarding mainly on Buhisan Dam’s water level throughout the years in

consideration of its heavy siltation and its current state.

Research Procedures

Gathering of Data. First, the researchers will head to the MCWD Office at Talamban,

Cebu City to conduct an interview about the dam’s structural integrity, its water production

capacity throughout the years and its siltation problem. Lastly, the researchers will prepare a

survey questionnaire for the residents of the chosen barangays regarding their source of water
supply, problems they have encountered, and their recommendations to improve their supplier’s

service.

Treatment of Data. After gathering the data, the dam’s water level throughout the years

will graphed for interpretation, with emphasis to the year it became operational and the year it

started to face heavy siltation. Furthermore, appropriate siltation management techniques will be

analyzed based on the gathered data from the interview with MCWD. To further verify the

analysis, the researchers will interview a Water Resource civil engineer who is also a faculty

member from the Department of Civil Engineering in the University of San Carlos. Moreover,

the results of the conducted survey will then be tabulated in order for the researchers to analyze

the consumers’ experiences with the water supply system.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Concessionaire refers to a person that operates

Ground water refers to water held underground in the soil or in the pores and crevices in rocks.

Potable water, also known as improved drinkable water, refers to water that is safe to drink and

use.

Siltation refers to the process by which water becomes dirty or unsafe to drink as a result of fine

mineral particles in the water.

Siltation Management refers to the process of controlling