Before Anything Else, Let's Harvest Rainwater

Here's the context behind this blog entry just in case you're not yet updated with what's happening around the world:

Serious drought hitting Europe, wider world

Much of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere is battling either wildfires, low water levels, harvest warnings, water use restrictions or a mixture of all these. DW rounds up the situation.

Europe’s rivers run dry as scientists warn drought could be worst in 500 years

Crops, power plants, barge traffic, industry and fish populations devastated by parched waterways

Now what can we do here in the Philippines?

Solar panels are good but are too expensive for the average household. Gardening and composting are too time-consuming and labor intensive. But rainwater harvesting is a one-time installation event. You just let the weather do its job. So we need to save rainwater now while it's the wet season. 

I have come to realize that we can't teach permaculture as one grand concept. It's too complex. Instead, it should be broken down into tiny bits because we need to do something now and act fast. 

Here's some good news for you future rainwater harvesters:

1. Our houses have roofs 

When it rains do you notice where the water goes? For those who have gutters, it goes straight to the drainage canal. But for those who don't have gutters, the water splashes directly on the soil or concrete pavement. This undirected water causes floods. If we can divert rainwater into our rainwater harvesting systems then we can lessen the amount of water that collects on the ground. 

2. It's easy to prioritize

Our rainwater harvesting system was one of our top priorities when our house was built. Hopefully, engineers and architects would prioritize this feature when designing homes and buildings. I hope it comes to a point where this would be as normal as including a toilet in any structure. 

3. We have the policy instrument

Don't worry, we have the RA 6716: Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Act of 1989 to support our rainwater harvesting efforts at the barangay level.

SECTION 2. Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors and Spring Development.—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall, within thirty (30) days after the approval of this Act, undertake construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in all barangays in the Philippines in such number as may be needed and feasible, taking into consideration the population, hydrologic conditions, costs of project development and operations, financial and economic factors and institutional arrangements: Provided, however, That the DPWH shall deduct not more than five percent (5%) for supervision, engineering, technical and other overhead expenses or fees: Provided, further, That each barangay in the country shall have at least one additional potable water source.

4. Success indicators

Measuring success is easy. Check your neighbors' houses. Check your place of work. Check your barangay. Do they have rainwater harvesters installed? We're making progress if the answer is yes. But we have to do this quickly.