Rainwater Harvesting: How Does It Work?
The Philippines experiences extreme weather patterns, with heavy rainfall during the wet season and severe water shortages during the dry season. These conditions are being intensified by climate change, making rainwater harvesting an increasingly important strategy for sustainable water management in the country.
More Than Just A Drop
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for future use. It decreases reliance on traditional water sources by utilizing rainwater collected from rooftops, paved surfaces, and catchment areas. This water is then stored in tanks or reservoirs for use by households, businesses, and communities.
When Rainwater is a Good Thing
Water shortages during the dry season can be severe. Rainwater harvesting offers a solution and numerous other benefits, such as:
- Water conservation: This way, communities can reduce reliance on strained water sources during droughts.
- Cost savings: It can lower water bills by using rainwater for non-drinking purposes like gardening, cleaning, and flushing toilets.
- Flood prevention: Heavy rainfall can cause urban flooding, but capturing rainwater can mitigate this risk.
- Agricultural support: Rainwater storage provides consistent irrigation for crops, even during droughts.
- Environmental sustainability: It helps preserve ecological balance by lessening the strain on water utilities and conserving groundwater.
How is it done in the Philippines?
LGUs, organizations, and developers are promoting rainwater harvesting through ordinances and projects, like Quezon City’s mandate for rainwater collection in new buildings and Baguio City’s installation of water tanks in public schools.
Several malls under SM Prime also implement large-scale rainwater collection and recycling systems to manage stormwater, provide alternative water sources for non-potable uses like irrigation and facility maintenance, and mitigate flooding.
READ: Water Systems of the Future: SM City Baguio’s Rainwater Treatment Facility
Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable and economical solution to water scarcity in the Philippines. And implementing it on a large scale can ensure water security for communities, especially during dry seasons, by providing a consistent and sustainable water source.
