DENR-7 Appeals to Public to Conserve Water

(PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) recently called for households to conserve water in line with World Water Day (WWD) observance on March 22.

“We should take water conservation measures very seriously to make sure that we have enough water supply for domestic use, agriculture, aquaculture and energy,” said DENR-7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo in a press statement.

In a Drought or Dry Spell Outlook dated March 2016 released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), at least 68 provinces or 85 percent of the country’s 81 provinces have been identified to likely experience moderate to severe drought.

In the Visayas, the areas are Cebu, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Southern Leyte.

“We should be more concerned with our water consumption in bathing, toothbrushing, and handwashing. Recycled laundry water could be used for gardening, flushing the toilet and washing of car and floor,” said Montejo.

These water conservation measures include checking of plumbing leaks, pipes and joints to be fixed right away to avoid wasting of water.

Other water conservation measures include using a pail and dipper instead of the shower when bathing, using hose when washing vehicles and gardening during cooler times of the day, reducing the frequency of doing the laundry, hanging clothes to dry instead of prolonging the washing machine’s spin cycle, and utilizing used water for other purposes such as dousing garden plants and using soapy laundry water for vehicles.

The Philippines is currently experiencing El Nino which occurs every two to seven years.

The country just celebrated this year’s WWD with a focus on the vital role of water in achieving sustainable development.

This year’s theme, ”Water and Jobs,” seeks to focus on how enough quantity and quality of water can change worker’s lives and livelihood and even transform societies and economies. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7)