Geo-Resistivity Survey for Groundwater in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental
- generaladmin2
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Updated: May 6
Client: Primewater-Himamaylan
Location: Himamaylan, Negros Occidental
Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental is facing a deepening water crisis as extreme heat and a low-yielding aquifer have severely strained its groundwater supply. Despite spanning 367.04 square kilometers and housing over 116,000 residents (4.43% of the province’s population), the city struggles to secure sustainable and safe drinking water — particularly in its most vulnerable barangays. Source: Philatlas
The urgency is felt most acutely by over 15,000 residents across 11 barangays, including Carabalan, San Antonio, Cabadiangan, Mahalang, To-oy, Nabalia-an, Su-ay, Cabanbanan, and Libacao. These communities, which primarily rely on deep wells, are experiencing dangerously low water levels, worsened by a prolonged and scorching heatwave.
Groundwater Resilience is now a Critical Priority. With limited geological data and diminishing aquifer yields, the need for advanced groundwater surveys and geo-resistivity technology has become urgent. These methods are essential to identify viable water sources that can withstand environmental stress and serve growing residential and commercial demands.
Local authorities have already begun responding. Mayor Raymund Tongson confirmed the crisis has prompted Himamaylan government to deploy a mobile water filtration system to provide clean, potable water. However, these short-term measures underscore a more pressing need: to develop long-term, sustainable water infrastructure.
Provincial assistance has been requested, but without immediate and strategic groundwater exploration, the risk of chronic water shortages, economic disruption, and public health challenges will only escalate. Source: watchmen daily journal 2023
Our team, led by Engr. Kristian with a decade of field experience and technical specialization on the topic, went to the field. Using advanced geo-resistivity technology, our team surveyed the rugged terrain to locate potential water sources. Despite limited survey space and a lack of previous geological studies, we remained committed to uncovering viable groundwater sites.
There were challenges because saltwater has high electrical conductivity, which can mask subsurface features and reduce the ability to differentiate between layers of varying resistivity, such as freshwater aquifers, hydrocarbon reservoirs, or geological faults. Coastal environments often require surveys at greater depths to bypass saltwater interference, which increases costs and technical challenges. This complexity makes it harder to predict well integrity and casing loads during drilling operations. Source: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Saltwater intrusion is a global problem for coastal water resources and is worsened by sea level rise, climate change, and a growing dependency on groundwater resources for water supply.
But we never gave up on finding a solution that led to the discovery of multiple promising groundwater sites. These findings are now undergoing further analysis to determine water quantity and quality, offering hope for a long-term water solution.
Key Insights
Low-Yielding Aquifer: Finding water in a challenging geological setting made this discovery significant.
Data Scarcity: With little prior research, we had to explore uncharted territory.
Survey Challenges: Limited space required innovative approaches to complete the study.
Growing Demand: The increasing need for water emphasized the urgency of the project.
Innovative Solutions: Alternative technologies played a crucial role in overcoming survey limitations.
This is just the beginning. How can we refine our methods to locate more water sources? What other areas could benefit from similar surveys? Let’s collaborate to ensure a sustainable water future. Share your thoughts with us!
