Alarming to know the issue on the low levels of water in Angat Dam and that some cities and municipalities are encountering shortages due to the mismanagement of water protocols, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Could this be attributed to the Filipinos’ lack of foresight, unconscientiousness and disregard of the long-term impacts of how they use and treat water? I mean, communities both in the rural and urban settings seem not to be bothered about so much water being wasted and polluting our streams with garbage from their households. According to a song popularized by Filipino reggae group Brown Man Revival (Maling Akala lyrics), “Maliit na butas lumalaki, Konting gusot dumadami (or gumagrabe in some instances). Hindi mo maibabaon sa limot at bahala, Kapag nabulag ka ng maling akala.”

Rather than point out at the many defects in the way we treat our prime natural resource, can we strive to gain our precious water back? In short, can we recycle our used water for our daily consumption and allow ourselves time to regain what water has been lost?

It was interesting to come across an article regarding Xavier School’s work on recycling urine and wastewater from its bathrooms since November 2009. According to the article by Sun Star, the water is used for non-contact human purposes. Hence, it is not advisable for drinking but if one mistakenly drinks it, it’s not lethal.  Environmental engineering firm TechnoTest took on this project for Xavier and has made the recycled water certified based on 2004 policy standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Ateneo, another Jesuit institution like Xavier, has an Innovation Center pursuing work in Waste Water Management and Clean Water Systems. The waste water project is currently being implemented in the college campus using a solar panel to recycle waste water, which in turn is used to hydrate the grounds of the Marian Garden. If I am not mistaken, it was also implemented in one resort in Palawan.

According to the Ateneo Innovation Center’s Operation Manager Paul Cabacungan, the solar panel is able to generate 250 watts a night which translates into producing 40 liters of clean water on a weekly basis.

Aside from other big scale efforts such as rehabilitating Laguna de Bay and Marikina River (is there no hope for the Pasig River in this picture?), small-scale efforts made by Ateneo and Xavier could be made replicable and sustainable given that there is really an urgent need and a market for this technology.     

Blogger's Note: Tubig is the Tagalog word for water.