More than a year after the City of San Fernando took control of its water distribution system, residents continue to suffer from poor water service, with complaints of discolored, smelly, and weak water flow remaining unresolved.
A Legacy of Consumer Complaints
The ongoing crisis has its roots in the previous management under Prime Water, a utility owned by the Villar family. For years, consumers endured what they describe as significant sacrifices, lodging complaints about yellowish water, unpleasant odors, and consistently low water pressure from their taps.
Despite numerous complaints, Prime Water largely ignored consumer concerns, continuing its operations uninterrupted. This neglect prompted widespread criticism from various sectors, with media outlets like Dateline persistently investigating and reporting on the utility's failures.
Mayoral Action and Takeover
The situation reached a tipping point last year, leading City Mayor Vilma Caluag to suspend the joint venture with Prime Water. This decisive move in early 2025 was a direct response to the unaddressed grievances of thousands of consumers. The city government assumed responsibility for the water district, raising hopes for a swift resolution to the long-standing problem.
Persistent Problems Under New Management
However, the transition to city management has not yielded the improvements residents desperately need. As of January 2026, the water flowing from taps in many areas is still reported to be weak, foul-smelling, and tinged with a yellow color. This lack of progress has led to growing frustration and pointed questions from the community.
Residents and observers are now demanding accountability, asking who the General Manager and Operations Manager of the CSF water district are and why they have failed to rectify the fundamental water quality and pressure issues after assuming control.
The core question remains: when will the citizens of San Fernando finally receive clean, safe, and reliable water? The city's takeover was meant to be a solution, but so far, it has only changed the entity managing a persistent crisis.
