On June 29, 1987, pursuant to the provision of Title II of PD 198, and in order to provide the much needed safe, sufficient, and potable water supply, the Honorable Sangguniang Bayan in session assembled, adopted and approved Resolution No. 18, Series of 1987: Resolution Organizing The Banate Water District (District). However, due to some aggravating circumstances, the water service began operations with fifty (50) connections on December 18, 2000, thus making the Banate Water District a full-fledged water provider. All services have been metered and billed except that of the Banate Water District Office. The District was issued a conditional certificate of conformance no.318 on October 30, 1987. The Banate Water District comprises a five-member appointed Board of Directors (BOARD) as the policy-making body. Each Board Member represents a particular sector like the professional, education, women, civic, and business sectors, and each holds office for a term of six (6) years. The Board sets policies within the framework of national statutes/ Philippine Nation Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) and local ordinances. The management is composed of a General Manager who manages thirteen (13) staff members (regular and job order) which carry out different district functions and it comprises the Accounting Processor B, Billing Clerk/ Customer Service Assistant E, Water Maintenance Man C, Utility, Cashiering Assistant, Clerk, Pump Operator, and Meter Reader. The different functions include meter installation and repair, water quality testing, infrastructure development and maintenance, customer support, and applications for new water service. The District prides itself on providing customers with friendly, high-level service. The Banate Water District is classified as Category D and is being operated under the law, rules, and regulations of PD 198 otherwise known as the Local Water Utilities Act, and is guided by the duly adopted Commercial Practices System, Rules and Regulations, and the generally Accepted Accounting Practices System set by the LWUA. The District operates round-the-clock, seven days a week in such a way to give its concessionaires an uninterrupted and continuous water service. It is supplied with water from multiple sources. Customers are currently served by nine (9) sources consisting of four (4) dug wells and five (5) deep wells. But one (1) deep well was suspended due to the high content of chloride and it needs treatment. As a groundwater producer, the District is responsible for water quality treatment along with planning for and distributing/ providing high-quality, safe, and reliable water to its customers. The District has four (4) standby generator sets (one for each four (4) pump stations). These provide emergency power and avoid the possibility of interrupted service, especially during abnormal weather, or power outage events. Additionally, the District maintains and operates three (3) reservoirs: The elevated concrete one with a one hundred (100) cubic meters holding capacity is situated at Brgy. Merced (where the District’s three (3) primary sources are located). The second one which is a ground concrete reservoir with a holding capacity of seventy-five (75) cubic meters is situated at Brgy. Libertad (where the District’s two sources are located). The third one which could hold a capacity of one hundred fifty (150) cubic meters located at Brgy. Various structural maintenance that is necessary is strictly done to ensure the integrity of the structures as well as to ensure that the District’s facilities operate at the highest efficiency possible.
