courtesy: DENR 

As the temperature in Metro Manila and other parts of the country continue to sizzle, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has shared practical and do-it-yourself water conservation hacks over another threat of the El Niño phenomenon—water shortage.

While the DENR assures that Metro Manila will have sufficient water supply coming from Angat Dam and other water sources that have been activated, it said that the water conservation measures is anticipation of the “small chance” that drought conditions continue beyond May and June.

Experts earlier projected that the El Niño phenomenon will be causing lower-than-average rainfall until next month.

As such, the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) has shared these water conservation tips, especially to those living in villages and condominiums in Metro Manila:

1.    Unobserved leaks can account for 15 to 40 percent of water used every month. During late at night or early in the morning, check water meter for activity when no one is using water inside the house;

2.    Save 500 to 1,000 liters every month in dishwashing. Wash dishes right away to easily remove food waste. Otherwise, soak plates prior to washing;

3.    Save five to ten liters of water in washing clothes. When possible, run the washing machine at full load, and use the proper amount of detergent to use less water when rinsing;

4.    Save up to 568 liters of water per month when taking a bath. Shorten shower time by a minute or two;

5.    Save six liters of water when toilet paper is not flushed. Dispose of toilet paper in the trash and do not flush in the toilet bowl;

6.    Take out frozen food in advance to avoid using running water to thaw;

7.    Water plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon to reduce evaporation.

Water-saving hacks too

The WRMO also shared these tips especially to residents of Metro Manila and other urban areas:

1.    Place a 250-ml bottled water in the water tank of your toilet and leave as long as flushing capacity is not reduced. Savings: 0.25 liters per flush;

2.    Use a sink basin to wash fruits and vegetables instead of using running water. Savings: 20 to 50 liters per month;

3.    Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank water. If it seeps in the toilet bowl, there is a leak. Savings when fixed: 3,785 liters per month.

 Best buys

The WRMO also provided tips to Metro Manila residents to further conserve water:

1.    Use inexpensive faucet aerators to decrease water volume in every use;

2.    Use a thermos to keep hot water instead of boiling a kettle-full for a cup of hot water;

3.    Toilets with dual flush features. The low flush feature (smaller button) saves three liters per flush;

4.    Shower head with adjustable settings and garden hose with an adjustable nozzle;

5.    Energy star-certified washing machines can save up to 26,498 liters per year

 Help us  

The WRMO instructed village and condominium managers in Metro Manila to start implementing these water conservation measures, especially in promoting easy-to-do water conservation measures and hacks among their respective residents.

“Village and condominium managers were also instructed to regularly check water meters, in the early morning or late at night, when there is no activity, to detect any possible leaks,” the WRMO bulletin read.

“Watering of plants and lawns in common areas and cleaning of roads and sidewalks should only be done when necessary,” it added.

The agency also encouraged the use of water catchment systems such as drums in downspouts to collect and store water to be used for cleaning, and to postpone swimming pool maintenance work that will require draining and replacing the water from the pool.

The WRMO also prohibits households to use water hoses for car washing, cleaning of driveways and watering of lawns, and to instead use a pail and dipper or "tabo".  

The WRMO said DENR personnel will conduct spot checks and information drives in the coming weeks and requests for assistance in their work.