The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed a new batch of rainwater collection system to maximize the use of water from rains at 16 schools in Southern Leyte.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia of Southern Leyte District Engineering Office said that an amount of P3.4-million was allocated to build the rainwater collectors in public schools as part of the climate change adaptation strategy to address the problem of water supply shortage.
The rainwater collection systems were installed at the following national high schools: Libhu, San Rafael, Asuncion, Ibarra, Guadalupe, Dongon, and Maasin City National High School in Maasin City; Ichon and Villa Jacinta in Macrohon town; Lungsoodan in Hinundayan town; Hinunangan in Hinunangan town, Liloan in Liloan town, Himbangan in St. Bernard town, and Sogod in Sogod town. Elementary school recipients are in Padre Burgos Central School in Padre Burgos town and Asuncion Integrated School in Maasin City.
According to Engr. Junia, rainwater collectors can harvest rainwater from the roof, groundwater catchment, or multipurpose pavement to store it in tanks with the capacity of 4,000 liters. This means that the harvested water can be distributed to toilets, wash rooms, and other utilities through pipes and faucets attached to the system.
The project aims to answer the perennial concern of water shortage in Southern Leyte due to over extraction of groundwater, illegal connections, water pollution, water pipe leakages, faulty water meters, and climate change.
“Hopefully in the near future, this program will help sustain struggling communities in the country with diminishing water supply for sanitation and other purposes,” Junia added.