The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged the national government to consider rainwater harvesting technology as a potential solution to the country’s problems on flooding and water shortages.

According to the DENR, rainwater harvesting is the technology used for collecting and storing water from the rooftop, land surface or rock catchments, and then purified in a central treatment system to be pumped to various water lines.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio Ramos said the country’s situation should enable homes and businesses to consider this water conservation measure for the collection, storage and conveyance of rainwater as a water source.

He said this could also help businesses reduce dependency on main water usage as “future-proof” operations against potential shortage and water price increases, especially at this time.

“The country’s situation highlights the critical role of rainwater and groundwater harvesting, which can spare us from El Niño, if only we are able to capture and store rainwater and harvest groundwater efficiently and sustainably,” he added.

The DENR chief pointed out that rainwater can be utilized in many ways from toilet flushing to cooling water in manufacturing processes.

“The Philippines has a lot of excess water and does not have to suffer much from El Niño because rainwater harvesting is doable, simple, and relatively low cost,” Ramos said.

The technology, Ramos said, is effective in reducing water bills among households, irrigating dry agricultural lands, saving energy in industries, and river basin management.

“It is applicable in rural and urban setting and produces quick and noticeable results. Groundwater harvesting on the other hand offers huge potential since we have extensive ground water aquifers,” he said.

At present, the DENR has identified the activation of 65 groundwater wells that can be tapped by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) through its water concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad to strategically mitigate water shortage in Metro Manila and some areas in Cavite and Rizal.

Ramos said the project is expected to provide additional 35 million liters of water per day.