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Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Water scarcity has been the problem all around the world. The rapid growth in

population, urbanization, industrial and agricultural development results to increasing

demand of water. Today, the availability of water is becoming a primary problem facing

not only by the Philippines but by the neighboring country as well. In fact, in the

Philippines alone, nine million Filipinos depends on unimproved, unsafe, and

unsustainable water sources. (water.org, 2018). Two-thirds of the Global population (4.0

billion people) live and experience condition of severe water scarcity of at least one month

of the year. From that numbers, almost half lives in India and China. Half a billion in the

world face severe water scarcity all year round (Mekonnen and Hoekstra, 2016). On the

data of World Health Organization (2015), 844 million people lack even a basic drinking

water services, and 2 billion people uses a drinking water sources that is contaminated.

As predicted by WHO, by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-

stressed areas. The Philippines has a low freshwater availability per capita and

experiences water related problems (Lapong and Fujihara, 2008).

Philippines has abundant rainfall, if this rainfall is well harvested and use, it can

help reduce water shortage. Rainwater harvesting is a system consist of rooftop, gutters,

downspout, filters and storage tanks which is capable of collecting and impounding

rainwater to supply and support the water needs (Esguerra et al., 2011). In the

Philippines, rainwater harvesting is not a common practice in every household, but in

Malaysia, there is a several places where rainwater harvesting is made compulsory to

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every new construction of building for purpose of drought mitigation and storm water

management and flood control (Ghani et al., 2016). Rainwater harvesting has many

advantages, it can be a major solution to the places where there is inadequate supply of

groundwater and also it can help recharge the aquifer (Dwivedi and Bhadauria, 2009). In

the Philippines, where there is an El nino which causes drought and damage to

Agriculture, Fisheries, and livestock, rainwater harvesting is one way to supply vegetation

and agriculture in times of dry spell. As what the farmers of Bulacan did, they practice a

Small Farm Reservoir (SFR) which store rainwater during rainy season and use it in dry

season (Nidoy, 2016).

With aim to fight drought and water shortage, there are several actions and

research for water resources and water management. Many countries invest in using salt

water as a water supply through the desalination process. Others also recycle waste water

through treatment plants and consume it again. In the Philippines, the prime effort is to

protect the water shed like the La Mesa Dam water shed to become productive and

provide enough water supply for long term period. There are also research that tackle the

amount of contamination on groundwater to be able to find out if it is viable source for

pumping of water for water supply. Another is the recharging of aquifer like what we do

in the Philippines since our water table is going down and causing subsidence and

settlement. This research study contains information about rainwater harvesting, as

alternative water source, and rainwater harvesting as storm water control. Furthermore,

it will determine the potential amount of rainwater harvestable in Western Philippines

University main campus.

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Specifically, the study focuses in the assessing the potential of rainwater harvesting

as secondary water supply in Western Philippines University main campus. Mainly it

focus to the water demand of Western Philippines University main campus, the rainfall

depth in ten period from PAGASA located at WPU main campus, total roof area as

catchment in Western Philippines University, and the amount of rainwater harvestable.

The result of this study will serve as the baseline on the recognition and acceptance

of rainwater harvesting as an alternative source of water supply in Western Philippines

University main campus. The assessment will also help in the neighboring barangay

included in the range of rain gauge to practice rainwater harvesting if they have a large

roof area. It will also help in controlling for pumping of groundwater, and help water table

and aquifer possess and store sustainable amount of water underground.

This study focus on assessing the potential for rainwater harvesting as secondary water

supply in Western Philippines University main campus. Only water demand of WPU main

campus, the rainfall amount harvestable, total roof area as catchment for rainfall, and the

best month for highest harvesting of rainfall is to be analyzed, determine and estimate.

Significance of the Study

This study aims to determine the potential of rain water harvesting in Western

Philippines University main campus. The result of this study may serve as a baseline for

the installation of rainwater harvester in the Buildings of WPU main campus. This may

also promote the harvesting of rainwater in rural areas, especially to those with limited

source of water. This may also promote the control of storm water, especially to urban

areas where infiltration is in low level