By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY –- The Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) on Thursday (Sept. 4) said that it has developed the Water Collection and Treatment Systems.
It is geared towards preventing problems during the rainy season.
In a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Dr. Marianito T. Margarito, Chief of Materials Science Division of DOST-ITDI, said that included in the collection and treatment systems is the Rainwater Harvester with Hollow Fiber Membrane formerly called the Modular Rainwater Collection System.
Dr. Margarito said that the DOST-ITDI has developed the water collection and treatment systems for rainwater and other potable water.
It is made from nanocomposite thermoplastic geomembrane.
Dr. Margarito said that it is easy to install and deploy, and has made rainwater harvesting and storage (up to 1 cubic meter) safer for reuse onsite.
He added that the unit addresses water availability for nonpotable domestic use especially during emergencies.
Dr. Margarito said that the technology for water treatment and wastewater treatment was developed to address the challenges of water sources.
In response, the DOST-ITDI developed the compact wastewater treatment.
He cited the incidence of a cholera outbreak in Tanay, Rizal, which was addressed by the DOST.
Engr. Rey L. Esguerra, OIC Deputy Director of Office of the Deputy Director for R & D and Chief of Environment and Biotechnology Division of DOST-ITDI, said that they thought of making the water collection and water treatment systems because of what happened in their office in Region 2.
*With the help of our regional offices, they are identifying the areas such as in Bamban, Tarlac, which will just be transferred to another site,” Engr. Esguerra said.
He noted that about 3 million Filipinos have no access to safe drinking water, which is included in the Philippine Development Plan such that by 2028, 98% of the 3 million Filipinos shall have been provided with safe drinking water.
“This was declared as for public food such as in Tanay in the University of Rizal System so that it (technology) will be mass produced,” Engr. Esguerra said.
He added that even before the declaration as for public good, 2 fabricators in the private sectors such as in Pangasinan and Bicol, who are now the ones making the system but everybody is invited who will undergo accreditation and training.
The cost of the system is P300,000 to P400,000 per unit, which will be released in a month.
The system deployed in Ilocos Sur uses rainwater as source of water.
The solar power, composed of 3 solar panels with 30 watts capacity each, is needed because of the brownouts.
He said that a low-cost and sustainable compact wastewater treatment was developed by DOST-ITDI to treat high organic wastewater discharged by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and quick service restaurants (QSRs).
Community empowerment through science and technology is the mandate of the regional offices of the DOST.
He cited the 2017 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) which prescribes 10 mandatory parameters.
Engr. Esguerra added that the reactor can handle 2-4 cubic meters volume of wastewater per day with a BOD of 800 to
1,200 mg/L per day.
The system is flexible and can handle larger volumes by installing more reactors.
The Safewatrs Mobile Water Disinfection System aims to address the shortage or unavailability of water during calamities, emergency situations, and even in remote areas where water supply is scarce.
The system has been tested to produce potable water conforming to mandatory parameters prescribed in the 2017 PNSDW.
JTR Reports 09040125–MHE
