In November 2024, residents of several coastal barangays in Cebu City reported dried-up wells, and the brackish water desalination plant of Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) in Mambaling was named as a possible cause. According to Ed Karlon Rama, chairman of the Coastline Management Board, PWRI drew 71 million litres of brackish water a day from seven 60-metre wells and discharged 50 million litres of brine. Under a February 2023 contract, PWRI was to supply up to 25,000 m³/day to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District for 25 years.
The report showed how brackish water desalination from wells can come into conflict with local groundwater use. At the time of the report, it had not been established whether the plant was the cause.
Source: SunStar Cebu