Conservation
Conservation
Updated 02:05am (Mla time) Dec 14, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the December 14, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
MORE than a week after four cyclones struck various parts of Luzon, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) warned that Metro Manila could have a water shortage. It said the avalanche of logs and mud triggered by the storms had severely damaged a 13-kilometer tunnel that brings water to Angat Dam from the Umiray River in General Nakar, Quezon.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the damage to Umiray tunnel was unprecedented. She assured the people, however, that the government was working round the clock to repair the damage. On Sunday, Malacañang again sought to allay the fears of a water shortage in Metro Manila. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the repair of the tunnel would be completed in time to avert a water crisis.
Still, the earlier statement of the MWSS should be viewed in connection with a warning made in October by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) of drier conditions for the rest of the year and slightly warmer than normal temperatures in the first half of 2005. Pagasa, in an advisory on another El Niño episode, said the persistent warming of the atmosphere over the central equatorial Pacific Ocean had expanded. It also said an increased risk of below-normal rainfall was expected in most parts of the country in the first quarter of 2005.
Warmer temperatures will generally mean less rain, and less rain will mean less water. A hotter than usual dry season will also mean increased use of water in most households.
So, despite the more recent statements of Malacañang downplaying the threat of a water shortage, the people of the metropolis, and indeed of the rest of the country, would be well advised to prepare for a water shortage and practice water conservation. The expected deficit in rainfall early next year will adversely affect not only the household water supply but also agriculture, hydropower generation and health and sanitation, among other sectors.
More and more, water is becoming a scarce and precious commodity. Because in the past water was plentiful and relatively cheap, people never worried about a possible shortage. Now, not only because of a probable water shortage but also because of the announced increase in water rates, people should use water wisely and efficiently.
Now may be the time to insure that one's home is leak-free. Many houses have "hidden" water leaks. These can be detected by reading the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the water meter reading goes up, there must be a leak somewhere. Leaking faucets must be repaired immediately. If a faucet drips at the rate of one drop per second, one can expect to waste 10,206 liters of water per year.
Aside from checking water leaks, other water conservation measures that may be taken are:
• Using a basin or washtub while doing the laundry, and using the rinse water for other purposes, such as mopping the floor.
• Turning the tap off while shaving or brushing one's teeth.
• Storing drinking water in pitchers or bottles instead of letting the tap run every time one wants a drink.
• Defrosting food overnight or hours before cooking, instead of using a lot of water to defrost it.
• Avoiding unnecessary flushing of the toilet and using water in a pail instead.
• Using a bucket and dipper instead of a hose in washing the car.
• Storing rainwater in buckets for watering the plants or cleaning the car.
Right now, Malacañang officials are trying to avoid a scare over a possible water shortage. But we can never be sure. (We can never be sure about things that concern nature; we never expected, for instance, that four successive typhoons would hit the country and produce disastrous results.)
We cannot be complacent after the government assured us that the repair of the Umiray tunnel would be completed soon. Some things can still go wrong. And the expected "weak" El Niño episode early next year could become worse. It's best to hedge against a water shortage by storing water now, conserving it and making a habit of using water wisely and efficiently.
Updated 02:05am (Mla time) Dec 14, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the December 14, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
MORE than a week after four cyclones struck various parts of Luzon, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) warned that Metro Manila could have a water shortage. It said the avalanche of logs and mud triggered by the storms had severely damaged a 13-kilometer tunnel that brings water to Angat Dam from the Umiray River in General Nakar, Quezon.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the damage to Umiray tunnel was unprecedented. She assured the people, however, that the government was working round the clock to repair the damage. On Sunday, Malacañang again sought to allay the fears of a water shortage in Metro Manila. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the repair of the tunnel would be completed in time to avert a water crisis.
Still, the earlier statement of the MWSS should be viewed in connection with a warning made in October by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) of drier conditions for the rest of the year and slightly warmer than normal temperatures in the first half of 2005. Pagasa, in an advisory on another El Niño episode, said the persistent warming of the atmosphere over the central equatorial Pacific Ocean had expanded. It also said an increased risk of below-normal rainfall was expected in most parts of the country in the first quarter of 2005.
Warmer temperatures will generally mean less rain, and less rain will mean less water. A hotter than usual dry season will also mean increased use of water in most households.
So, despite the more recent statements of Malacañang downplaying the threat of a water shortage, the people of the metropolis, and indeed of the rest of the country, would be well advised to prepare for a water shortage and practice water conservation. The expected deficit in rainfall early next year will adversely affect not only the household water supply but also agriculture, hydropower generation and health and sanitation, among other sectors.
More and more, water is becoming a scarce and precious commodity. Because in the past water was plentiful and relatively cheap, people never worried about a possible shortage. Now, not only because of a probable water shortage but also because of the announced increase in water rates, people should use water wisely and efficiently.
Now may be the time to insure that one's home is leak-free. Many houses have "hidden" water leaks. These can be detected by reading the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the water meter reading goes up, there must be a leak somewhere. Leaking faucets must be repaired immediately. If a faucet drips at the rate of one drop per second, one can expect to waste 10,206 liters of water per year.
Aside from checking water leaks, other water conservation measures that may be taken are:
• Using a basin or washtub while doing the laundry, and using the rinse water for other purposes, such as mopping the floor.
• Turning the tap off while shaving or brushing one's teeth.
• Storing drinking water in pitchers or bottles instead of letting the tap run every time one wants a drink.
• Defrosting food overnight or hours before cooking, instead of using a lot of water to defrost it.
• Avoiding unnecessary flushing of the toilet and using water in a pail instead.
• Using a bucket and dipper instead of a hose in washing the car.
• Storing rainwater in buckets for watering the plants or cleaning the car.
Right now, Malacañang officials are trying to avoid a scare over a possible water shortage. But we can never be sure. (We can never be sure about things that concern nature; we never expected, for instance, that four successive typhoons would hit the country and produce disastrous results.)
We cannot be complacent after the government assured us that the repair of the Umiray tunnel would be completed soon. Some things can still go wrong. And the expected "weak" El Niño episode early next year could become worse. It's best to hedge against a water shortage by storing water now, conserving it and making a habit of using water wisely and efficiently.
posted by Dante at 2:05 AM
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