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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
